Jac Caglianone said take your Golden Spike and shove it as Florida Baseball prevails

The Gators are one win away from advancing to the College World Series
Florida utility Jac Caglianone (14) swings at a pitch during the sixth inning of an NCAA baseball matchup at 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville, Fla. Florida State defeated Florida 14-3.
Florida utility Jac Caglianone (14) swings at a pitch during the sixth inning of an NCAA baseball matchup at 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville, Fla. Florida State defeated Florida 14-3. / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA
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When Jac Caglianone was left off the finalist list for the Golden Spike Award, many Florida Baseball turned their head to the side wondering "What?!?"

For his part, Caglianone has kept his focus on the field and on Saturday he sparked a rally that enabled the Gators to prevail over Clemson and put Florida on the doorstep of returning to Omaha.

Florida Baseball: Jac Has Your Back

Through four innings, the Gators weren't looking great. Liam Peterson had already been knocked out of the game, and Florida's bats seemed tardy to every fastball thrown their way. That all changed in the fifth inning, as Florida's biggest star reminded everyone why it was a mistake not to consider him one of the best players in the country.

Down 4-2 with two runners on ahead of him, Caglianone stepped up to the plate and with his every effortless swing launched the ball 337 feet to left field to put the Gators up 5-4.

The home run sparked a conga line of Gators in the inning and by the time Michael Robertson singled home a run the Gators had put seven runs across the plate to take a 9-4 lead.

Clemson clawed back and got within 9-7, but a Luke Heyman home run combined with Brandon Neely shutting things down gave Florida the 10-7 win.

Florida now finds itself one win away from returning to the College World Series. After the game Kevin O'Sullivan was asked who would be the starting pitcher for game two. With Caglianone seated next to him, the two exchanged a glance and confirmed it would be the John Olerud Award finalist taking the mound.

Caglianone has been mortal on the mound his past few starts. But if game one was any indication, Caglianone might have a rabbit in his hat to pull out to send the Gators back to where they belong.

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