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WATCH: Jud Fabian home run gives Gators lead over Sooners

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•06/05/22•

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Samuel Lewis | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

With his 23rd home run of the season, Jud Fabian opened the scoring in No. 13 Florida’s regional game versus Oklahoma. The solo shot gave the Gators a 1-0 lead against the Sooners.

The shot to left field is Fabian’s 54th career home run. That ties him for the third most home runs all time in Florida baseball history.

Oklahoma beat Florida 9-4 earlier in the region to send them into the loser’s bracket. From there, the Gators worked their way back in with a 6-5 victory over Central Michigan.

If the Gators can hold onto the lead, they’ll force a winner-take-all game with the Sooners. The winner will advance to the Super Regional in the 2022 NCAA Baseball Championship.

Gators hold on in 9th against Central Michigan to keep season alive

There wasn’t a fingernail left unchewed at Condron Ballpark in the ninth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, the Gators leading by just a run, Ryan Slater induced a pop fly that Colby Halter wrangled for the 27th out. Kevin O’Sullivan threw both hands in the air before slamming the padding in front of him in a rare show of emotion.

The Gators’ season, which was on life support, lived to another game with a 6-5 win.

“If you’re a fan, what a good college baseball game. A lot of great fans here. The support has been really impressive from the Florida fans and Central Michigan fans. Both teams put on a really good show for them,” Central Michigan coach Jordan Bischel said. “I’m really proud of our guys, and I’m sure Coach [Kevin] O’Sullivan is awfully proud of his. It’s a shame that somebody has to go home but tip the cap to Florida. They did a great job, and we really wish them the best of luck the rest of the way.”

Florida was on cruise control early. Josh Rivera triples in the second inning and scored on a Mac Guscette groundout. Wyatt Langford hit a solo home run to right-center field, his 24th of the season to start the third inning. A throwing error allowed another run to score, making it 3-0. Langford followed it up with another solo home run in the fourth, his 25th, one shy of Matt LaPorta’s school record.

The Gators will take on the Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday night. In the double-elimination format, Florida will need to beat the Sooners twice. Oklahoma would advance to a Super Regional with just one win.