Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan was nearly left speechless after Florida’s 22-10 win over Miami in the winners bracket of the Gainesville Regional. The game was dramatic, chaotic and downright weird.
“I mean it’s kind of crazy,” O’Sullivan said postgame. “I can’t explain tonight, it’s one of those nights that we swung it really well offensively. I think we hit seven home runs.”
With the win, Florida advances to the regional championship game, where the winner of Troy vs. Miami will have to beat the Gators twice to advance. The Gators need only one more victory to punch their ticket to the Super Regionals.
The Chaos
Florida scored at least six runs in three different innings—the first, sixth and eighth. The last of those proved historic.
Leading 15-10 in the eighth, Florida launched a program-record five home runs in a single inning as Cade Kurland, Brendan Lawson, Blake Cyr, Ethan Surowiec and Karson Bowen all went deep. Lawson, Cyr and Surowiec hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the frame. It marked Florida’s first time hitting three-consecutive home runs since Ty Evans, Jac Caglianone and Tyler Shelnut accomplished the feat in the eighth inning at LSU on March 24, 2024.
“It was amazing. I mean, it was just one of those weird moments that just doesn’t happen very often, but it was incredible,” O’Sullivan said on the eighth inning.
With Kurland and Bowen also homering earlier in the game, Florida’s seven home runs set a program record for an NCAA Tournament game. Florida’s seven home runs traveled a combined 2,729 feet—more than half a mile.
During Florida’s seven-run sixth inning, the Gators recorded just one hit—a bases-clearing, three-RBI double by redshirt sophomore outfielder Kyle Jones. Miami pitchers issued four walks and hit two batters, while the Hurricanes also committed a fielding error and a costly mental mistake on defense.
The electric crowd at Condron Ballpark clearly made an impact during the inning, as fans were on the Miami pitchers from the moment they stepped on the mound, reacting to every ball they threw—even during warmups.
“The fans were unbelievable tonight,” O’Sullivan said. “I’ve never seen the atmosphere like it was tonight and it helped. There’s no question it helped us the entire night.”
“I think a lot of it had to do with our fans,” O’Sullivan added. “Like I said, I don’t know how many were here, this is my 19th year and that’s the best it’s ever been by far. And it was helpful. I really appreciate people staying as long as they did because people could have easily left a lot earlier, but they stuck around. Looking forward to having a great crowd tomorrow too.”
Miami actually outhit Florida, 16-15, in the contest. Yet the Hurricanes still lost by 12 runs as their bullpen and defense collapsed, combining to allow 12 free passes while committing four errors. Whether it is unprecedented or not, I’ve never seen a team lose by a dozen runs while outhitting its opponent. Of all the bizarre moments that unfolded Saturday night, that statistic may have been the most surprising. Of Miami’s 16 hits, 13 were singles, while Florida recorded eight extra-base hits.
Only 11 of Miami’s 22 runs allowed were earned. The 22 runs are the most the Hurricanes have ever allowed in a game against the Gators. The previous mark was 20 in a 20-11 loss on February 13, 2000.
The Gators scored a season-high 22 runs – their largest NCAA Tournament total since defeating LSU 24-4 in the College World Series Finals on June 25, 2023 (postseason program record). Florida plated its most runs a game since May 3, 2025 at South Carolina (W, 22-3).
Up Next
Florida will face the winner of Sunday’s Troy-Miami elimination game at 5 p.m. ET. The game is currently scheduled to air on ACC Network and ESPN+, though that could change if Troy advances. Junior right-hander Liam Peterson is expected to get the start for the Gators.
Florida is 2-0 to begin Regional play for the first time since the 2018 Gainesville Regional and will go for its first 3-0 sweep in Regionals since the 2016 NCAA Gainesville Regional.