Florida advanced to the College World Series with a Super Regional sweep of Clemson, setting up a rematch in the opening game at Omaha. Texas A&M awaits.
The Gators took two of three from the Aggies during a regular-season series in Gainesville back in mid-March. But coach Kevin O’Sullivan doesn’t believe he can take much from that series going into the showdown in Omaha.
“No, that series is so long ago,” O’Sullivan said. “It has no bearing on Saturday night. It does make it a little bit easier because we have played them three times. I’m sure (Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle) will say the same thing. You know, they played us three times.”
Both teams have come a long way since then, though neither are quite the same. Both have lost a key piece in the lineup due to injury.
Texas A&M will be without star Braden Montgomery after he suffered an injury sliding into home during the Super Regionals. Montgomery was hitting .322 with 27 home runs, 14 doubles and a triple. He had driven in a whopping 85 of Texas A&M’s runs this year.
On the other side, Florida will be without outfielder Ty Evans after he suffered a broken wrist in mid-May. Evans was hitting .316 with 13 home runs, 10 doubles and a triple, to go along with 43 RBI.
So while there will be some similarities from the first meetings this year, there’s only so much O’Sullivan and company can take away.
“From a scouting report deal, it does save you a little bit of time, but I’m sure they would say the same thing,” O’Sullivan said. “But the series we played in Gainesville has no bearing on Saturday night.”
Still, Florida will be hoping for similar results. The Gators surprised when they took two of three from the Aggies back in March. Can they do it again?
Las Vegas has Texas A&M as a fairly heavy favorite. The Aggies are listed at -195 to win, while Florida is +150 as the underdog.
Saturday’s game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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