The Florida Gators are gearing up for their 14th appearance in the College World Series as they prepare to face off against the No. 4 Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. This will mark the Gators’ second consecutive trip to Omaha after emerging victorious in the Stillwater Regional and Clemson Super Regional with a 6-1 record. Florida, with a record of 34-28, is set to take on the Texas A&M Aggies, who boast a record of 49-13, in a rematch of their SEC Opening Weekend showdown where the Gators clinched two out of three games.
Although the Gators and the Aggies have never met in Omaha before, Texas A&M currently holds a 14-16 lead in their all-time matchups and a 4-1 advantage at neutral sites. Looking back at their history against Kentucky and NC State, the Gators have a strong track record, going 150-74-1 overall and 6-3 at neutral sites against Kentucky, and holding a 5-1 record against NC State with their last encounter dating back to 2012.
In terms of pitching matchups, the Gators will be sending RHP Liam Peterson (3-4, 5.97 ERA) to the mound, while the Aggies will counter with LHP Justin Lamkin (2-2, 5.73 ERA) in what promises to be an exciting showdown.
The Gators are no strangers to postseason success, with this being their 14th College World Series appearance and their 10th Super Regional Title. Under the leadership of head coach Kevin O’Sullivan, the team has secured their 16th Regional Title and their 10th NCAA Tournament berth in the last 17 seasons. O’Sullivan’s impressive coaching record includes reaching the NCAA Tournament for 16 consecutive seasons, the second-longest streak in the nation. The Gators hold an all-time record of 135-86 in the NCAA Tournament and are 25-26 at the College World Series.
When it comes to player performances, Jac Caglianone has been a standout player for the Gators, boasting an impressive .411 batting average, .532 slugging percentage, and .860 on-base percentage. With 33 home runs this season, Caglianone has been a driving force behind the team’s success. In addition to his offensive prowess, Caglianone has also been a reliable pitcher for the Gators, maintaining a 5-2 record, 4.71 ERA, and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
As the Gators gear up to face the Texas A&M Aggies in their CWS opener, the team looks poised for another deep postseason run with a roster filled with talent and experience. With their relentless attitude and impressive statistics, the Gators are ready to showcase their skills on the national stage and compete for the College World Series title.