Florida slugger Jac Caglianone shatters BBCOR era single-season HR record
The Florida Gators absolutely obliterated the LSU Tigers on Sunday night during their Game 2 matchup in the College World Series Finals. The Gators had to win on Sunday to force a decisive Game 3 and they did not mess around, delivering a performance that won’t be forgotten for quite some time. Florida annihilated LSU 24-4, setting numerous records in the process. The Gators took a 19-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, thanks to a record-breaking two-run home run from their slugger, Jac Caglianone. He’s one of the best two-way players in all of college baseball and on Sunday evening, he stamped his name in the record books. Caglianone shattered the BBCOR era single-season home run record after he destroyed his 33rd home run of the season.
Check out the historic launch below.
It was his second home run of what was basically a home run derby for the Florida Gators. Both he and Ty Evans finished with two home runs each for the Gators in their historic performance on Sunday.
Caglianone was a Golden Spikes Award finalist this year, becoming just the sixth player from Florida to be named a Golden Spikes Award finalist and the first Gator since Brady Singer did it in 2018. The gifted two-way player also earned MVP honors for the 2023 Gainesville Regional.
For more on Florida’s unforgettable performance in Game 2, check out the excellent article below from On3’s Chandler Vessels.
Caglianone and the Gators put on a performance for the ages
Florida finished the day with six home runs, the most in a single game at Charles Schwab Field (combined or by one team).
Ty Evans got the scoring started with a solo homer in the second inning, but it was his next home run that served as the turning point in the game. After the Tigers scored a pair of runs to tie the game at 3, the sophomore stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. He remained unfazed by the moment, however, launching a ball to left field that went over the fence for a grand slam.
That play gave Florida a lead it would never relinquish, and it was far from the end of the scoring onslaught. The Gators went on to add 17 more runs after that moment, also setting the College World Series record for most runs in a game. As if that weren’t impressive enough, their 20-run victory is the largest margin in CWS history.
Wyatt Langford, who finished the day a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate, joined in on the home run party with a three-RBI shot in the sixth inning. Caglianone then stepped up immediately after him with a solo homer that brought the Florida lead to double digits. He added his second home run of the afternoon in the eighth before BT Riopelle closed things out in the ninth by knocking one out of the park himself.
With their six home runs Sunday, the Gators added insult to injury by surpassing LSU for the most in the country with 143 this season. In addition to the multiple other records set, Florida’s 23 hits are also tied for the most in College World Series history.
That kind of performance gives the Gators plenty of momentum as they head into a winner-take-all Game 3 against LSU at 7 p.m. ET on Monday evening. Florida is in search of its second title in program history, with the first also coming against the Tigers in 2017.
On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.