Right-handed pitcher Brandon Neely entered Florida’s elimination game vs Oklahoma State with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 4th. With the Gators trailing 2-1, Neely recorded and a strike out and a fly out to keep it a one run game heading into the 5th.
“It was a big confidence booster for sure. That was probably one of the most crucial parts of the game,” Neely said on getting out of the early jam. “To be able to get out of the bases loaded one out with a zero was a big step in the right direction.”
“I’ve been in a few high-pressure situations,” Neely said after the game. “Especially last year in the College World Series. I just went right at them with nothing to lose, gave it my all and said hit it.”
Well, Oklahoma State didn’t hit it. Neely would go on to finish the game, firing 5.2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out 11 batters. At one point in the game Neely had fanned six straight batters en-route to Florida’s 5-2 victory.
Despite tossing 104 pitches vs OSU after 37 Nebraska on Friday night, Neely never ran out of gas, reaching 96 MPH on his 101st pitch of the game on Sunday night. It became evident as the game progressed and Neely’s confidence grew that he wouldn’t be coming out of Florida’s must-win match. It was his game to win or lose.
“It was definitely a grind,” Neely said postgame. “I was going out there to finish it from the 4th…I wasn’t letting Sully take it out of my hands.”
Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan didn’t have any plans to.
“The only way we were going to win the game was for him to finish it, to be honest with you, because we need to have some pitching for tomorrow,” O’Sullivan said postgame.
Neely’s stuff was excellent tonight. His rising fastball generated a ton swing and misses, and his slider was the sharpest I’ve seen it all season.
Not only did Neely’s heroic effort send Florida into game seven of the Stillwater Regional, but the length of his outing saved the Gators’ bullpen arms for the championship game.
“We got plenty of arms, it’s just a matter of some guys stepping up,” O’Sullivan said postgame. “We will talk to the pitching staff tomorrow. We got numbers.”
Florida is set to take on Oklahoma State on Monday at 3:00 PM with the winner advancing to the Super Regionals.