Men’s College World Series: Cam Cannarella channels Willie Mays

Clemson’s baseball season ended on Sunday.

But it wasn’t for a lack of effort from center Cam Cannarella.

Cannarella played a starring role in one of the most thrilling games in the history of the Men’s College World Series Super Regionals, but it was the Florida Gators who punched their ticket to Omaha for the second straight year by defeating the Clemson Tigers, 11-10, in overtime.

Cannarella and the Tigers were down 9-6 to the Florida Gators in the top of the ninth inning in a win-or-lose game, but with one out and runners on first and second, Cannarella came to bat as the tying batter.

In an instant the game was tied.

Cannarella hit an unquestionable home run to right field to clear everything and tie the game at 9-9.

But that wasn’t the end for the centre-back.

Florida had a chance to punch their ticket to Omaha in the bottom of the 10th with runners on first and second base. Ashton Wilson, Florida’s No. 3 hitter, stepped up to the plate and gave Tigers fans a chance to disappoint.

With a runner on second base to score the winning run, Clemson brought in their outfielders to try to stop the infielder from scoring at home plate if an infield grounder got through, but Wilson hit a deep fly ball toward center field that looked like it would go over Cannarella’s head based on his stance before the pitch.

Somehow, Cannarella got to the ball.

A glimpse of Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series:

Cannarella’s incredible catch not only ended the inning, but extended Clemson’s season.

Clemson took the lead in the top of the 13th on a solo home run by right fielder Alden Mathes.

The moment was not without controversy, as Matthes was ejected by the umpires for spiking his bat after the home run, which prompted head coach Erik Bakich to come out to discuss the call with the umpires, who quickly ejected him from the game as well, though he did take a moment to get the Tigers fans excited before leaving.

The Gators had another chance in the bottom of the 13th. Luke Heyman singled to left field and Tyler Shelnutt singled to left-center to get the first two batters on base. Dale Thomas executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance the runner and bring catcher Brody Donay to the plate.

Clemson intentionally walked Donay, who had already homered in the game, to load the bases and set up force plays around the diamond, bringing up Michael Robertson to bat with the bases loaded, but he was 7-0 with the bases loaded this season.

Set it to 1-8.

Robertson hit a liner to left-center field, bringing home two runs and earning Florida a trip to Omaha.

The Gators’ second consecutive trip to Omaha comes at the end of a tough stretch for Florida. The Gators finished the regular season 34-28 and just 13-17 in SEC play. They did earn an invitation to the Stillwater Regional as the No. 3 seed out of four teams, but Florida clinched a spot in the Super Regional with a win in Stillwater.

The team then went on the road again to face the Tigers, who were ranked sixth overall, and returned to Omaha with two straight wins.

In the process, he overcame Cannarella’s heroism.