With their backs against the wall for the 4th time this postseason, the Florida Gators defeated NC State 5-4 in a nail-biting game on Monday afternoon, knocking the Wolfpack out of the College World Series. Florida improved to 4-0 in elimination games this postseason and is now one of six college baseball teams still standing in Omaha.
Florida will play the loser of Texas A&M vs Kentucky on Tuesday at 7:00 PM EST.
“Just proud of our team’s resiliency today,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said postgame. “Obviously everybody knows when you get in the elimination brackets it’s about emotion and keeping your energy going and we did that today.”
Jac Caglianone delivered a laser beam three-run shot to right field in the second inning, helping Florida jump out to an early 4-1 lead over the Wolfpack. The long ball marked Caglianone’s 34th of the season and 74th of his career, tying Florida’s program home run record previously set by Matt LaPorta.
“It’s a great feeling,” Caglianone said on making history. “Mr. LaPorta has reached out countless times throughout the year. He’s here with his kids and family, watching that. It was a special moment for sure. But at the end of the day I was too caught up in trying to win keep staying here, surviving and advancing.”
Florida’s closer Brandon Neely recorded the final nine outs of the game with the Gators leading by just one run, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six.
“It takes a different person to close out games,” O’Sullivan said on Neely. “And they’re hard to find at this level, even at the big league level. But for whatever reason, he really takes to that role.”
Jac Caglianone’s early pitching struggles
It just didn’t look right for Florida’s starting pitcher on Monday afternoon. Caglianone’s velocity was down on his fastball, sitting anywhere between 88 and 93 MPH in the first inning. He also struggled commanding the heater, handing out three consecutive free passes to the Wolfpack lineup.
After finishing the frame with just one run allowed, Caglianone’s outing was finished after just one inning.
“Definitely didn’t have my best stuff today,” Caglianone said postgame.
The lefty did confirm with the media that he is not physically injured.
“It was pretty obvious he didn’t have his best stuff after the first,” O’Sullivan said on pulling Caglianone after one inning. “And honestly he battled the last week against Clemson without his best stuff. And I could just tell there’s a different look in his eyes a little bit. And I didn’t want to push him today because I knew we were going to — didn’t look like it was going to be an offensive day because of the wind. And we had Cade fresh, and that’s what we decided to do.”
Brandon Neely vs Logan Whitaker
If you like good pitching performances, this was the game for you. Brandon Neely and Logan Whitaker went ‘strikeout for strikeout’ out of the bullpen in a tight ballgame.
Typically a starting pitcher, NC State’s Logan Whitaker came out of the bullpen vs the Gators after Monday’s starter Dominic Fritton was pulled after two innings. He would go on to toss the remaining seven innings, allowing just one run, two hits, and three walks while setting a career high in strikeouts with ten. Florida struggled mightily picking up Whitaker’s changeup throughout the game.
“The change-up was working today and it worked earlier when I didn’t have my fastball command in the first couple of innings. But without that defense behind me there’s no way I do what I do up there,” Whitaker said postgame.
Florida’s closer Brandon Neely took over in the 7th inning with a one run lead, which we have seen time and time again in 2024. The right hander would fire three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out six, earning his 5th save of the 2024 season.
Neely was efficient having used just 45 pitches, which could end up being a difference maker for Florida down the road.
“It really comes down to team effort,” Neely said postgame. “Everyone stepping together, stepping up this postseason. And me having one of the best defenses behind me. And being able to attack hitters and let my defense work. And knowing they’ll pick me up if I don’t do the best.”
Since the start of postseason play, Neely has allowed just 3 earned runs in 21 innings, an earned run average of 1.29. He’s struck out 32 batters in that span while walking just six.
“He’s been just outstanding for us,” O’Sullivan said on Neely. Those types of pitchers are really hard to find. You have to have stuff and have you to have the mentality.”
Tyler Shelnut adds insurance
Leading 4-3 in the 5th inning, Florida’s left fielder Tyler Shelnut launched a baseball into the bullpen in left field, providing the Gators with an insurance run that ended up being the difference in the game.
“Obviously it’s a lot of fun to hit a home run here in Omaha, but biggest thing it helped us win that game,” Shelnut said on his solo shot. “That’s a really good team, and they play hard. We play hard. We’re at a point where we’re playing for our season. When the season is on the line you’ve got to have your best at-bats.”
“I knew his change-up was his best pitch,” Shelnut added. “So just really trying to see the fastball as deep as I could, give me time to recognize it. And I was able to and put a good swing on it.”
The Gators will look to continue their elimination game success on Tuesday night, where they will take on the loser of Kentucky vs Texas A&M at 7:00 PM EST. LHP Pierce Coppola is expected to start on the mound for Florida.