Florida baseball fought valiantly until the end to defeat the Virginia Cavaliers in the opening game of the 2023 College World Series held at Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Gators got on the board first with a run in the second when BT Riopelle scored — the only time a player crossed the plate in the first six innings of action. Then the Cavs dropped a four-spot in the top of the seventh, to which the Orange and Blue responded with another run of their own.
Kevin O’Sullivan’s squad chipped a bit more away from the lead with a run in the eighth but UVA added an insurance run in the ninth to give them a two-run lead heading into the last frame of the game. This was when the heroics truly began.
After a home run by Ty Evans to lead off the inning, Cade Kurland K’d leaving Florida with just two outs before defeat. Then Wyatt Langford launched a no-doubt dinger to tie things up, ultimately leading to a sac fly that scored Jac Caglianone to clinch the victory.
Starter Brandon Sproat went 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits and three walks while striking out seven. Brandon Neeley earned the win thanks to 2 1/3 innings of one-run relief.
Florida will face Oral Roberts on Sunday at 7 p.m. EDT. The game will be televised on ESPN.