How it Happened: Florida Gators beat Clemson Tigers, 10-7
CLEMSON, S.C. — The Florida Gators used a seven-run fifth inning to take a 9-5 lead on the Clemson Tigers and would hold on to take game one of the Clemson Super Regional, 10-7.
Florida used home runs from Tyler Shelnut, Jac Caglianone, and Luke Heyman to help secure the win.
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FINAL: Florida 10 Clemson 7
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SCOREBOARD:
Florida 10-10-0
Clemson 7-9-1
9th inning
HEYMAN homered to left field, RBI (2-1 BFB). /// (Florida 10-7)
SHELNUT struck out looking (2-2 FBSBFK).
THOMAS grounded out to 2b (0-2 KF).
DONAY walked (3-2 BBSBKB).
ROBERTSON struck out swinging (2-2 FBSBS).
FLA Inning Summary: 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB
Bottom 9
HINDERLEIDER out at first 1b to p (0-1 K).
WRIGHT struck out swinging (3-2 BBBKKS).
CANNARELLA walked (3-2 BFBFFBB).
CANNARELLA advanced to second.
8th inning
Top 8
ROBERTSON grounded out to 1b unassisted (1-2 KKB).
KURLAND walked (3-1 BFBBB).
KURLAND advanced to second on a wild pitch.
CAGLIANONE intentionally walked.
WILSON struck out swinging (0-2 SKS).
SHELTON struck out looking (0-2 FSK).
FLA Inning Summary: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB
Botton 8
JARRELL struck out looking (2-2 BKKBK).
PURIFY struck out swinging (0-2 KKS).
MATHES struck out swinging (0-2 KKS).
CU Inning Summary: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB
7th inning
Top 7
HEYMAN grounded out to ss (0-0).
SHELNUT popped up to ss (3-2 BKBBK).
THOMAS singled up the middle (2-1 KBB).
DONAY flied out to lf (0-1 K).
FLA Inning Summary: 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB
Bottom 7
OBERTOP singled to left center (1-1 KB).
BISSETTA struck out looking (2-2 KBSBK).
CRIGHTON grounded into double play 2b to ss to 1b (3-2 BKBKBFF); OBERTOP out on the play.
CU Inning Summary: 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB
6th inning
Top 6
** Clemson goes to the bullpen, Jacob McGovern takes the mound.
CAGLIANONE fouled out to c (0-0).
WILSON singled to left field (1-1 KB).
SHELTON flied out to lf (1-1 BF).
WILSON out at second c to 2b, caught stealing.
FLA Inning Summary: 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB
Bottom 6
PURIFY walked (3-2 BBFBKB).
** The Gators will turn the ball over to sophomore left-hander Cade Fisher on the mound.
MATHES singled to left field, advanced to second on the throw (2-1 BKB); PURIFY advanced to third.
** Just one batter for Fisher. Florida is going to Brandon Neely here with runners on second and third and no outs in the bottom of the sixth.
HINDERLEIDER flied out to rf, SF, RBI (1-1 BF); MATHES advanced to third; PURIFY scored. /// (Florida 9-6).
WRIGHT grounded out to ss, RBI (0-0); MATHES scored. /// (Florida 9-7)
CANNARELLA struck out swinging (1-2 KFBS).
CU Inning Summary: 2 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB
5th inning
Top 5
ROBERTSON walked (3-2 BBKFBFB).
KURLAND singled to right center (0-2 FK); ROBERTSON advanced to third.
CAGLIANONE homered to left field, 3 RBI (0-1 K); KURLAND scored; ROBERTSON scored. /// (Florida 5-4)
** Clemson is going to the bullpen. Lucas Mahlstedt will replace Tristan Smith.
WILSON walked (3-1 BFBBB).
SHELTON walked (3-1 BBBKB); WILSON advanced to second.
HEYMAN singled up the middle, RBI, advanced to second on a fielding error by cf (0-0); SHELTON advanced to third; WILSON scored. // (Florida 6-4)
** Clemson is going back to the bullpen to bring in Lucas Mahlstedt.
THOMAS reached on a fielder’s choice to second base, RBI (0-1 F); HEYMAN advanced to third; SHELTON scored. /// (Florida 7-4)
DONAY grounded out to p unassisted, SAC, bunt, RBI (2-1 BBS); THOMAS advanced to second; HEYMAN scored, unearned. /// (Florida 8-4)
ROBERTSON singled to left field, RBI (1-2 BKF); THOMAS scored. /// (Florida 9-4)
ROBERTSON stole second.
KURLAND fouled out to 3b (2-0 BB).
FLA Inning Summary: 7 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Errors, 1 LOB
**Florida bats around the lineup in the top half of the inning.
Bottom 5
OBERTOP grounded out to ss (0-0).
BISSETTA homered to right field, RBI (0-0) /// (Florida 9-5)
CRIGHTON flied out to cf (0-1 K).
JARRELL flied out to lf (0-1 F).
CU Inning Summary: 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB
4th inning
Top 4
HEYMAN flied out to cf (1-0 B).
SHELNUT homered to left center, RBI (1-2 SSB). /// (Clemson 4-2)
THOMAS struck out looking (2-2 FKFBBFFK).
DONAY flied out to cf (1-2 SFB).
**Cam Cannarella robs Donay of a homer. Cannarella plays a really nice center for the Tigers.
FLA Inning Summary: 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB
Bottom 4
PURIFY grounded out to ss (1-2 KFFB).
MATHES struck out looking (0-2 KKFK).
HINDERLEIDER singled to right field (2-1 BFB).
WRIGHT singled to shortstop (2-0 BB); HINDERLEIDER advanced to second.
**Kevin O’Sullivan went to the mound to talk with Fisher Jameson before pitching to Cam Cannarella.
CANNARELLA lined out to rf (2-0 BB).
CU Inning Summary: 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB
3rd inning
Top 3
ROBERTSON grounded out to 1b unassisted (0-1 K).
KURLAND walked (3-2 SFBBBFB).
**That’s a really quality at bat by Cade Kurland to work back from an 0-2 hole and draw a walk.
CAGLIANONE singled to right field (1-0 B); KURLAND advanced to third.
** Clemson manager Erik Bakich goes out to talk to his pitcher, Tristian Smith. It’s the first trouble Smith has faced this afternoon.
WILSON lined out to rf, SF, RBI (2-1 BBS); KURLAND scored. /// (Clemson 3-1)
SHELTON fouled out to 3b (0-0).
FLA Inning Summary: 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Brady Cook injury
Mizzou QB doubtful to play vs. Alabama
- 2Hot
AJ McCarron slams Bama
'Everyone's worried about f-----g TikTok'
- 3
Coach Prime
Deion Sanders, Colorado are for real
- 4
Not alright, alright
McConaughey admonishes Texas fans
- 5
Travis Hunter
Deion Sanders shares Buffs star will play Saturday vs. Cincinnati
Bottom 2
OBERTOP homered down the lf line, RBI (2-2 BBSKF). // (Clemson 4-1)
**That baseball was annihilated.
BISSETTA struck out looking (1-2 SBKK).
CRIGHTON grounded out to ss (1-2 KBS).
JARRELL struck out swinging (0-2 KSS).
CU Inning Summary: 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB
2nd inning
Top 2
HEYMAN grounded out to ss (1-2 FBK).
SHELNUT struck out looking (0-2 SKK).
THOMAS singled up the middle (2-0 BB).
DONAY struck out swinging (1-2 BSKS).
FLA Inning Summary: 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB
Bottom 2
PURIFY tripled down the rf line (2-2 KKBFB).
PURIFY scored on a wild pitch. /// (3-0 Clemson)
MATHES singled to left field (2-2 BFBF).
**That’s the end of the game for Liam Peterson after just 1+ innings. He threw 53 pitches, 26 strikes, gave up 3 runs, all earned and is responsible for the runner on first. Fisher Jameson takes over.
MATHES stole second.
HINDERLEIDER grounded out to 2b (1-2 KFB); MATHES advanced to third.
WRIGHT struck out looking (1-2 SKBK).
CANNARELLA flied out to lf (2-1 KBB).
CU Inning Summary: 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB
1st inning
Top 1
KURLAND flied out to rf (2-2 KKBBF).
CAGLIANONE popped up to 2b (1-2 FBKF).
WILSON walked (3-2 BKBFBB).
SHELTON struck out looking (1-2 BFFK).
FLA Inning Summary: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB
Bottom 1
MATHES singled up the middle (2-2 KFBBFF).
HINDERLEIDER struck out swinging (2-2 BBFKS).
WRIGHT walked (3-2 BBBKFB); MATHES advanced to second.
**Kevin O’Sullivan goes to the mound to talk to Liam Peterson. The freshman’s pitch count is getting up there through the first three batters of the game.
CANNARELLA flied out to lf (1-1 KB).
OBERTOP walked (3-0 BBBB); WRIGHT advanced to second; MATHES advanced to third.
OBERTOP advanced to second on a wild pitch; WRIGHT advanced to third on a wild pitch; MATHES scored on a wild pitch. /// (1-0 Clemson)
BISSETTA walked (3-2 BSFBBB).
CRIGHTON walked, RBI (3-0 BBBB); BISSETTA advanced to second; OBERTOP advanced to third; WRIGHT scored. /// (2-0 Clemson)
JARRELL struck out looking (2-2 KBSBK).
CU Inning Summary: 2 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors, 3 LOB
Lineups
FLORIDA
2B Cade Kurland
1B Jac Caglianone
RF Ashton Wilson
SS Colby Shelton
C Luke Heyman
LF Tyler Shelnut
3B Dale Thomas
DH Brody Donay
CF Mikey Robertson
SP: RHP Liam Peterson
CLEMSON
RF Alden Mathes
SS Jacob Hinderleider
3B Blake Wright
CF Cam Cannarella
C Jimmy Obertop
LF Tristan Bissetta
1B Jack Crighton
DH Jacob Jarrell
2B Jarren Purify
SP: LHP Tristan Smith
Notes
POSTSEASON POINTS
The Gators are looking to clinch their 14th College World Series berth in program history and ninth of the O’Sullivan era in Clemson this weekend. Playing in the team’s 39th NCAA Tournament, Florida is fresh off its 16th Regional Title and 10th in 17 seasons under O’Sullivan (no NCAA Tournament in 2020). The Gators have reached the postseason in every year of O’Sullivan’s tenure, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament in 16-straight seasons, which ranks second nationally. In fact, O’Sullivan has now reached the NCAA Tournament in 25-consecutive campaigns dating back to his time at Clemson. Florida enters the weekend with nine Super Regional Titles, with all but one coming under O’Sullivan. Florida is 133-86 (.607) all-time in the NCAA Tournament and 18-8 (.692) in Super Regionals.
RELENTLESS REPTILES
By winning three-straight elimination games to claim the Stillwater Regional, the Gators have now came out on top in seven of their last eight NCAA Tournament elimination games dating back to last season. This year alone, Florida boasts 17 come-from-behind wins, with 12 of the team’s 13 SEC victories occurring in comeback fashion. The Gators wield three walk-off victories this year.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Clemson comes in with a 44-14 record on the year after going 20-10 in ACC action. As a team, the Tigers have slashed .299/.401/.512 with 103 homers while pitching to a 4.45 ERA on the mound. In the field, Clemson owns a .968 fielding percentage.
NATIONAL LEADERBOARDS
Florida ranks sixth nationally and fourth in the SEC with 125 home runs (2.1 per game). Meanwhile, the Gators sit 10th in the country and fifth in the SEC in strikeouts per nine (10.6). At .981, Florida paces the SEC and ranks fifth in the NCAA in fielding percentage.
HOW THE MIDWEST WAS WON
For the second year in a row, Florida rallied from a day-two loss in Regionals by winning three-straight elimination games to advance to Supers. Florida defeated Nebraska (5-2) in Stillwater before falling to No. 16 Oklahoma State, 7-1. The Gators then dismantled the Huskers (17-11) before delivering back-to-back wins vs. the Cowboys (5-2, 4-2).
Florida was led by Regional MVP outfielder Ashton Wilson, who opened the tournament with a 4-for-5 showing highlighted by his first homer and never looked back. Wilson went 9-for-21 (.429/.455/.714) with four extra-base hits, six RBI, five runs and two steals. He was joined on the All-Regional Team by first baseman Jac Caglianone (.353/.542/.882, 2 HR), shortstop Colby Shelton (.316/.409/.684, 2 HR), third baseman Dale Thomas (.263/.300/.474, 1 HR) and closer Brandon Neely. The latter was particularly heroic, firing eight shutout innings across two relief appearances, capped off by 5 2/3 one-hit frames with 11 strikeouts vs. Oklahoma State on June 2.
DOUBLE-DIGIT DING DONGS
For the first time since the 1998 season, Florida has seven different hitters with double-digit home runs: Caglianone (31), Shelton (20), catcher Luke Heyman (15), infielder/outfielder Tyler Shelnut (14), second baseman Cade Kurland (14), outfielder Ty Evans (13), and catcher/designated hitter Brody Donay (11). Those seven players have accounted for 118 of the Gators’ 125 home runs this season (94.4%). In 1998, Florida was led by Brad Wilkerson with 23 home runs, followed by David Ross (19), Jason Dill (16), Derek Nicholson (15), Mark Ellis (14), Greg Catalanotte (13) and Casey Smith (12). Last year’s SEC Championship team had six players hit 10-plus homers highlighted by five with 17-plus.
IT ALL FILTERS THROUGH AW30
On May 10, with just five regular-season games remaining, Wilson was 0-for-6 on the year. In the 12 games since, his .366 average is second on the team behind Caglianone (.405) as he has racked up 11 games, nine starts, 15 hits and 41 at bats. Wilson has earned the No. 3 spot in the order by posting a .409 on-base percentage, .585 slugging percentage, 11 RBI and nine runs in that span.
THE BEST PLAYER IN COLLEGE BASEBALL
Caglianone delivered three extraordinary feats over the course of the regular season. After homering in an NCAA-record nine-straight games from April 6-19, Caglianone followed the act with an equally brilliant one by going 66 consecutive plate appearances without a strikeout from April 7-27. The slugger then proceeded to post a 30-game hitting streak from March 23 through May 12 to tie the all-time program mark set by Jacob Young in 2021. He now owns each of the two most prolific home run seasons in Gators history, setting the team record with 33 last season while his 31 bombs this year rank second.
This season, Caglianone has slashed .410/.526/.847 with 31 home runs, 75 runs scored and 63 RBI – all of which lead the Gators. The two-way standout ranks third nationally in home runs (second in SEC), sixth in slugging (second in SEC), seventh in batting average (second in SEC) and ninth in on-base percentage (third in SEC). On top of that, the Tampa, Fla. native has drawn 25 more walks (48) than strikeouts (23), ranking as the 60th-most-difficult hitter to strikeout in the nation with 10.0 at bats per strikeout and wielding a minuscule 8.1% K-rate.
On the mound, Caglianone wields a 5-2 record, 4.57 ERA and 10.2 strikeouts per nine. In addition to pacing the Orange & Blue in ERA, he leads in innings pitched (67.0), games started (14) and batting average against (.225), the latter of which ranks 10th in the SEC. Caglianone has allowed the third-fewest hits (56) and second-fewest homers (eight) among qualified SEC hurlers.
