Monday's College World Series action will start with an elimination game in the early afternoon.
Florida and N.C. State face off in Omaha fighting for their right to stay in the tournament after each team lost its respective first-round game by one run. With one loss apiece in the double-elimination bracket, both the Gators and Wolfpack will need to avoid any more losses through four games to advance to the CWS finals.
These two teams have only met seven times ever in their programs' history and six times in the postseason tournament. The Gators hold a 5-2 edge in head-to-head matchups.
The most recent clash between the two teams was game two of a super regional in June 2012. It finished as a 9-8 extra-innings win for Florida against an N.C. State roster that featured current MLB players Carlos Rodón and Trea Turner.
Here's everything to know about Monday's elimination game in the College World Series.
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES:What games are on Monday? Florida, NC State play for their season
For a second straight inning, the Gators went to the bullpen after a leadoff walk. This time, Brandon Neely entered after 1+ inning of work from Clemente.
After taking over in the third inning, Logan Whitaker has struck out eight of the 18 batters he's faced. The seventh inning was Whitaker's third perfect frame in five innings and he's retired seven straight betters.
After 4+ innings of relief, Fisher exits in the sixth inning after issuing a leadoff walk to Luke Nixon. RHP Jake Clemente enters as the Gators' third pitcher of the day.
Florida's defense helped out their reliever with an excellent snag on a popped up bunt attempt, a runner caught stealing on an attempted hit-and-run and a smooth play by Shelton on a groundout up the middle of the infield.
Whitaker secured his seventh strikeout and second perfect inning in the sixth. He has Soles to thank for keeping his sixth inning clean after a diving catch in right field kept Kurland from a potential extra-base hit.
After Pennington began the bottom of the fifth with a hard-hit double to left field, Fisher nearly got out of trouble with an ensuing groundout and strikeout. But Butterworth secured his second RBI of the game with a double of his own to right field.
Down 1-2 in the count, the left fielder pulled a Whitaker changeup into the bullpen behind the wall in left field. It put the Gators ahead 5-3 on a rare mistake pitch from Whitaker, who's up to six strikeouts in three innings of work.
Fisher induced three ground balls in his third inning of work, including one that Kurland misplayed and another that resulted in a double play.
In a second inning of relief, Whitaker allowed one single (by Robertson) and an intentional walk (to Caglianone) but struck out Donay, Kurland and Wilson to keep a clean sheet.
After Pennington gets on thanks to a fastball to the wrist, Makarewicz belts a two-run home run into left and brings the Wolfpack within one.
Score: Florida 4, NC State 3
Pennington is a magnet today. The bottom of the third gets started with Pennington getting plunked for the second time today. Fisher had the honors this time around.
Logan Whitaker takes the bump in the third and gets an immediate strikeout on Heyman with a timely changeup after back-to-back 93 mile-per-hour fastballs.
Cade Fisher couldn't have asked for a better half inning. Comes in for relief and gets a pop-out and issues two consecutive ground outs. We head to the top of the third.
Fritton gets out of a nightmare half-inning with a swinging strike three on Shelton. Florida now heads to the bottom of second with the lead.
Cade Fisher now takes the bump, reliving Caglianone who has done enough with the bat to make up for the run issued in the first. The broadcast mentions that there is nothing wrong with Caglianone's arm and is merely resting with fatigue.
Florida is now fully in control after Jac Caglianone crushes a three-run home run beyond right field. Fritton continues to struggle with an immediate walk to Wilson after.
Score: Florida 4, NC State 1
Dale Thomas scores from third on a sac fly by Kurland. Florida ties it up with Caglianone up with runners on.
Fritton gets off to a shaky start in the second. After getting a line out to short, the pitcher has issued consecutive walks to Donay and Thomas. Then Michael Robertson lines a single to left to load the bases with Jac Caglianone on deck.
Shelnut gets a good piece of one but is robbed by the quick glove of Butterworth who saves a single for the first out.
After Florida starter Jac Caglianone hit a batter and issued two walks, N.C. State shortstop Brandon Butterworth cashed in for the Wolfpack with an RBI single.
Dominic Fritton induced an easy groundout to second base then struck out top MLB draft prospect and opposing starter Jac Caglianone to begin the game. He followed that up with back-to-back hit batsmen before settling for a strikeout to end the inning.
SP: LHP Jac Caglianone
SP: LHP Dominic Fritton
N.C. State hosted a regional as the No. 10 national seed and swept through their region, winning all three games to head to the Athens super regional against Georgia. The Wolfpack blew out the Bulldogs, 18-1, in game one then were blown out, 11-2, in game two. N.C. State prevailed in the ensuing game three to make their way to Omaha for the second time in four years.
The Wolfpack lost their first game in Omaha to Kentucky in heartbreaking fashion. They took the lead in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch before allowing the Wildcats to tie it and force extra innings with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the inning. Kentucky walked it off on another home run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, sending N.C. State to an elimination game.
The Gators won the Stillwater Regional after playing just two teams. They beat Nebraska to start the tournament, then lost to Oklahoma State the following day. The next day they faced the Huskers again – whom they eliminated with another win – before getting their revenge on the Cowboys later that evening to force a winner-take-all regional final. They beat the regional hosts once again to head to the super regional.
Florida matched up with Clemson in the super regional and took care of business in two games – including a 13-inning marathon in game two – for the best-of-3 series sweep. That sent the Gators to Omaha, where they lost their first game, 2-3, to Texas A&M, forcing this elimination game on Monday.
Elimination games will be denoted with an asterisk (*). Away teams listed first. All times Eastern.
Times TBD.
Best-of-three series between Bracket 1 winner and Bracket 2 winner.
Rodd Baxley writes: "The Wolfpack hasn’t lost back-to-back games since late April. N.C. State’s consistency and power at the top of the lineup will help it stick around in Omaha for a bit longer."
Kevin Brockway writes: "The Gators have been resilient throughout the postseason, so it's hard to expect anything different on Monday. Even if Caglianone struggles, Florida could turn to closer Brandon Neely early after Neely threw 23 pitches in two scoreless innings on Saturday."
Collin Wilson writes: "If Caglianone takes the mound, Florida projects as a -144 favorite ... Winds continue to be a major factor at Charles Schwab Field, as numerous home runs have been caught at the warning track. The wind projects at 20 mph sustained with over 30 mph gusts blowing straight in from right-center."
The Gators are favored to win Monday's game, according to the BetMGM college baseball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering 2024 sports betting promos.
Odds listed as of Monday.
Prices for Monday's game at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha range from $10-100 before fees on Ticketmaster.
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