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Jac Caglianone, Hurston Waldrep carry No. 2 national seed Florida to win over UConn in NCAA Tournament elimination game
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Jac Caglianone and Hurston Waldrep made sure Florida’s season isn’t over just yet. No. 2 national seed UF avoided elimination with an 8-2 win over UConn in the Gainesville Regional on Sunday.
It was Waldrep’s turn to start in the Gators’ third game. He delivered a stellar outing, posting a line of 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB and 12 K over 101 pitches.
1️⃣2️⃣ for Hurston! ?
Waldrep’s 129 Ks rank T-6th in a season at UF.#GoGators // ? https://t.co/yfDs0JQ41S pic.twitter.com/piMZMMJpsl
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) June 4, 2023
Waldrep was helped by fellow hurler Jac Caglianone. A 2-way star, Caglianone played 1st base in Sunday’s loser’s bracket game and hit home runs Nos. 30 and 31.
Caglianone hit both bombs on the first pitch after UConn made changes on the mound. His first blast extended the Gators’ lead to 5-1 in the 4th inning.
#️⃣3️⃣0️⃣ for Jac Caglianone!#GoGators // ? https://t.co/yfDs0JQ41S pic.twitter.com/MUuFttasMr
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) June 4, 2023
In the bottom of the 8th inning, he provided more insurance when he retook the national home run lead with a 2-run towering shot.
JAC CAGLIANONE GOES YARD AGAIN TODAY ?
His 31st HR gives him sole possession of second in SEC history for most in a season ?@jac_caglianone | @GatorsBB pic.twitter.com/az6b1VOJ11
— ESPN (@espn) June 4, 2023
Florida faces a rematch with Texas Tech in the Gainesville Regional final. The Gators must win Sunday’s game at 6 p.m. ET to stay alive after falling to Texas Tech 5-4 on Saturday. The Red Raiders advance to Super Regionals with a Sunday win.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
