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Inevitable: Florida Baseball is Back in the National Semifinals

After a tumultuous season, Kevin O' Sullivan and the Gators find themselves just two wins away from a National Championship berth.

By Joseph Baker

Jun 19, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators designated hitter Brody Donay (29) signals after hitting a home run against the Kentucky Wildcats during the fifth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators designated hitter Brody Donay (29) signals after hitting a home run against the Kentucky Wildcats during the fifth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports / Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
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What a game. After being rained out last night, Florida and Kentucky got underway at 10 a.m. local, and the Gators poured it on the Bat Cats from the jump. Brody Donay had a monster game (3-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R), Jac Caglianone broke the all-time University of Florida home run record and Pierce Coppola had his best pitching appearance of the season. It was a perfect storm for the Gators, and it ended with a final score of 15-4 in favor of the Gators.

There's not much time to rest, though. Tennessee will play Florida State on the other side of the bracket this afternoon, and then the Gators will be right back at Charles Schwab Field tonight to take on Texas A&M. Florida needs a win tonight and then another tomorrow to advance.

The Matchup

The Gators and Aggies met just days ago and battled it out in an absolute classic. A&M gained an early advantage but Florida fought back, closing the gap to 3-2. Then, in the ninth inning, Cade Kurland hit a ball that had just enough distance to clear the wall, but was robbed by Aggies' star RF Jace LaViolette. A&M hung on to win and remained in the winner's bracket, while Florida had to fight through the loser's bracket, beating North Carolina State and now Kentucky, to get here.

Jun 15, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas A&M Aggies right fielder Jace Laviolette (17) gets an out against the Florida Gators during the ninth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas A&M Aggies right fielder Jace Laviolette (17) gets an out against the Florida Gators during the ninth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Luckily for the Gators, they were able to save both Fisher Jameson and Brandon Neely in the shellacking of Kentucky. Jake Clemente and Luke McNeillie should be available too. Neither team has announced a starter but expect Kevin O' Sullivan to go to the bullpen early and often if things aren't working out in this must-win matchup.

Florida won the regular season series 2-1, but the Ags got the best of them in their first postseason battle. If the Gators are able to pick up a win tonight and another tomorrow, they will return to the National Championship series for the second consecutive season.

First pitch tonight was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, but could very easily be moved back due to the length of the early games. The game will be televised on ESPN.

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