Florida will begin its run at the College World Series in Omaha on Saturday night, taking on Texas A&M in a rematch of an earlier series this year that the Gators took two games to one.
There will be plenty of familiarity, both with the opponent and with the environment. The Gators reached the championships series in Omaha last year, so plenty of players have been in this position before.
Still, there will be newcomers to the pomp and circumstance.
“Yeah. I mean, it’s different, but it’s nothing we’re not used to,” slugger Jac Caglianone said. “Being in the SEC, everywhere you travel to has a packed-out crowd. That’s a basic environment. Clemson this past weekend was probably one of the loudest places we’ve played at so far.”
Florida weathered the storm quite well at Clemson, in a series that had gasoline added to the fire courtesy of a couple questionable ejections. The Tigers did their best to capitalize on the crowd, hitting a go-ahead home run in the 13th inning of a deciding game.
The Gators answered the call with aplomb, mounting their own rally to walk it off.
Even last year Florida experienced some tight situations in Omaha, winning three straight one-run games before taking on LSU in the championship series. That experience should only help the Gators this time out.
“When we were on the field when Oral Roberts hit the walk-off homer last year, that’s probably the loudest I have ever heard a stadium,” Caglianone said. “Yeah, it’s just one of those things that these guys need to realize. There’s only eight teams playing in college baseball now. So it’s an honor. It’s a privilege. It’s something we don’t take for granted.”
The opening game in Omaha between Florida and Texas A&M is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch on ESPN.
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