The Florida Gators defeated South Carolina 5-4 in game one of the Super Regionals in front of 8,439 screaming fans at Condron Family Ballpark, the largest crowd in program history and largest amongst any college program in Florida.
South Carolina’s Will McGillis set the tone quickly, sending a missile over the left field fence on the second pitch of the game. Later in the inning, Gavin Casas would drive home Braylen Wimmer on an RBI single to center field, giving the Gamecocks an 2-0 lead after just three outs.
Florida immediately answered as Josh Rivera launched a 453-foot bomb over the left field berm, scoring Jac Caglianone from first base while tying the game at two. Rivera’s two run blast held an exit velo of 111 MPH.
The scoring continued in the second inning as Will McGillis picked up his second RBI of the night following a base knock to left center, giving South Carolina a 3-2 lead. The Gamecocks recorded seven in their first two innings at the plate.
Florida’s starting pitcher Brandon Sproat settled in nicely as the game went on, recording back-to-back 1-2-3 innings in the third and fourth frame. Sproat allowed just two hits after the second inning, finishing with a quality start of six innings pitched, three earned runs, nine hits, two walks and seven strikeouts.
Tyler Shelnut knotted the game at three after a leadoff home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The 418-foot bomb over the left field berm marks Shelnut’s seventh home run of the season.
One inning later, BT Riopelle sent the Gators’ third home run of the game off the batter’s eye in dead center, giving the Gators a 4-3 lead, their first of the night.
LHP Cade Fisher took over for the Gators in the seventh inning, tossing two scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit in seven batters faced.
The Gators added a much-needed insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning following an RBI base knock from Tyler Shelnut, extending the Gators’ lead to 5-3. The single to left field marked the second RBI of the game for the Lake City, Florida native.
Florida’s closer Brandon Neely notched his 13th save of the season after recording three outs in the bottom of the ninth. The right hander carved through the first two batters before allowing a solo home run to Will McGillis, his second of the night. One batter later, Braylen Wimmer grounded out to third base for the 27th out of the game.
The Gators’ two out approach was impressive tonight, recording eight hits on 15 at bats with two outs. Both ballclubs totaled 11 hits in the contest.
Florida can punch their ticket to the College World Series with a win tomorrow afternoon. Game two is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Saturday, but it’s subject to change based on the weather.