With Florida’s season on the line, Jack Caglianone was called up to pitch for Florida in their consolation game against North Carolina State, but inconsistent pitching limited Caglianone to just one inning for Florida.
He found a way to extend Florida’s season at least one more game.
Caglianone was replaced after a shaky inning that included a walk and a hit by pitch, allowing one run, but the Gators’ two-way star blasted a huge three-run homer to right field in the top of the second, helping Florida score four runs in the second inning.
Caliannone’s three-run homer came on a 91 mph pitch thrown inside and the left-handed slugger reacted quickly to it.
of The home run was hit at 116 miles per hour. From the bat of Cariannone. Also, the Gators’ two-way star First home run by a starting pitcher This is the first time someone has accomplished that feat at MCWS since Tim Hudson accomplished it in 1997 at Auburn University.
Yes, that Current head coach Tim Hudson At my alma mater.
Of course, with Caliannone’s time being so short, the Gators needed a stronger bullpen to beat them. Caliannone left the game and Cade Fisher pitched four scoreless innings to get the win, giving up three runs. But after Jake Clemente threw a shutout sixth inning, Brandon Neely came in to pitch the seventh for the Gators.
Neely closed out the game with a rare three-inning save. The Florida right-hander pitched three nearly perfect innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six to earn his fifth save of the season. Those three innings brought Neely’s postseason total to 21. That means Neely pitched 25% of the team’s 84 innings. In the postseason.
After the game, Neely praised his entire team and Florida’s strength.
Florida’s season will be extended by at least one game, while the Gators will await the loser of tonight’s game between Texas A&M and Kentucky.
