The Gators broke a 3-3 tie in the ninth as Jac Caglianone, Kendrick Calilao and Ty Evans all picked up RBI knocks in the frame while Ryan Slater closed out the game with 2 1/3 no-hit innings of relief.
STARKVILLE, Miss. – In a game tied at three through eight innings, Florida erupted for a six-run top of the ninth to clinch the series over Mississippi State with a 9-3 victory at Dudy Noble Field on Saturday Night.
Jac Caglianone<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15113&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=lWJ074jqSlK4Ug6rmR2fMRi74hnv2MIqiWDx5yYxkNI&e= > (go-ahead double), Kendrick Calilao<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15092&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=mMC5o6L5XM3rfzDc9b7rHNjr8nT0i6hm_gRVpZ8XJR4&e= > (two-run double) and Ty Evans<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15111&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=l7JCQWVUDbq6PQDnrjF9efMIJrkli26n0AKTiZAtlyE&e= > (three-run home run) all delivered RBI hits in Florida’s game-winning ninth. Caglianone had perhaps the most clutch night at the plate of all, giving the Gators the lead in the fifth with a two-run double before driving in the go-ahead run with another RBI double in the top of the ninth.
The Gators (28-18, 10-13 SEC) grabbed the lead in the top half of the first for the second time in as many days, loading up the bases before recording an out. Wyatt Langford<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15097&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=t5j2zQDfjDUCUexy69ZCsObbFtB8oQqXoXw8WEQiC-c&e= > again led off with a hit, doubling to center field before Sterlin Thompson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15108&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=RMqafc0bWB33jSHesPCFQOJSRgaatcnwhQjyv03S-Fc&e= > and Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15127&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=tgj0pRvlWUV1Ywx5CESHqUc9BgYeUEhetD7TCLJxhNQ&e= > drew walks. BT Riopelle<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15114&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=glnayUJVA_IWEWXLlcB6M3f_CztU4fv-GMDeMUuOS_M&e= > then provided a sacrifice fly to left field, picking up his seventh RBI of the series to hand Florida a 1-0 edge.
The Bulldogs (25-22, 9-14 SEC) answered right back in the bottom of the inning, with RJ Yeager leading off with a walk. After advancing to third thanks to a wild pitch and Luke Hancock single, Yeager came in to score on a single up the middle off the bat of Logan Tanner.
Florida starter Brandon Neely<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15118&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=xn65nDEr7BrbUhDOzx_hoqGEmQ9iXE2oqgAszeS4Ev0&e= > settled in after allowing the lone run in the first, blanking Mississippi State in the second and third innings while raising his strikeout total to six. The Bulldogs eventually pushed another run across in the fourth, as Kellum Clark doubled in Hunter Hines.
Faced with a 2-1 deficit, the Gators rallied back in the top of the fifth. Langford started things off with a single up the middle, then advanced to second on a Thompson walk – marking Thompson’s ninth-straight at bat in which he reached safely. Following a pair of strikeouts, Caglianone smacked a two-run double into the left-center field gap, giving the Orange & Blue its first lead since the opening frame.
After the first two batters of the bottom of the fifth inning reached successfully, left-hander Philip Abner<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15126&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=LGVZqTgEDNb4YxqY1VlK6aliCWycl9Z60eOuw4qtyEE&e= > took over for Neely on the mound. The freshman southpaw quickly induced a four-six-three double play and a lineout to shortstop Josh Rivera<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15104&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=kDEKG8l–Lqr7lWZI97V2ay0PERhCm570PKkU_tLiBw&e= > to navigate the Gators out of a crucial jam.
Abner returned to the hill in the sixth and was lifted with runners on first and second after notching his first strikeout. From there, fellow freshman Fisher Jameson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15120&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=R2duoZpk48ARgp0LKSZeRRTE3k9jW09cth9L1fZwl-A&e= > needed just five pitches to work Florida away from damage, sending the game into the seventh with the Gator advantage intact.
The Bulldogs tied the game back up in the bottom of the seventh. After a leadoff double by Yeager, Kamren James singled to right to advance Yeager to third. Hancock then bounced into a six-to-three double play, but Yeager crossed home to knot things up at 3-3.
In the top of the ninth, Florida erupted for six runs to put the game on ice. Thompson set the tone with a leadoff infield single to third, followed by a one-out walk by Riopelle. Staying hot, Caglianone rose to the occasion with his second clutch hit of the night, putting the Gators ahead with an RBI double to left field. After Rivera was intentionally walked to load the bases, Calilao came up big with a two-run double into the right-field corner to extend the lead to 6-3. Evans produced the knockout blow, launching a three-run home run to right on a 1-1 count to bring the score to its final tally of 9-3.
Right-handed reliever Ryan Slater<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15105&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=O_DiMD5yBhJQPCEsBsamlq9yCKk91vzhoYT3xpSN-TE&e= > closed out the game for the second night in a row, tossing a clean bottom of the ninth to seal the deal. Slater (3-3) earned the victory as a result, throwing 2 1/3 no-hit, shutout innings with one walk and one strikeout.
Bulldogs reliever KC Hunt was saddled with the loss after allowing six earned runs on five hits and four walks across 1 2/3 innings.
Neely received a no-decision, pitching four-plus innings with two earned runs allowed on four hits and four walks. The right-hander struck out seven, falling just one strikeout shy of his career high of eight.
Mississippi State starting pitcher Preston Johnson was also handed a no-decision, allowing three earned runs across five innings. He surrendered six hits and five walks while striking out seven.
Langford (2-for-5), Thompson (2-for-4), Caglianone (2-for-5) and Evans (2-for-5) all collected multiple hits in game two.
NOTABLES
* Florida scored its most runs (six) in the ninth inning this season, topping the team’s five-run ninth on March 5 at No. 22 Miami.
* The Gators have won five of their last six games.
* Evans set a career high with two hits while tying his personal bests with one home run and three RBI.
* With his first inning RBI double, Riopelle drove in his seventh run of the series – meaning he drove in seven of Florida’s first-nine runs this weekend.
* Florida’s come-from-behind victory which began in the fifth inning tied for the team’s latest comeback win of the season.
* The Gators also rallied from behind in the fifth inning on March 22 vs. Bethune-Cookman.
* Across his last four starts, Neely has allowed four runs and eight hits across 21 1/3 innings pitched.
* Florida is now 69-51 all-time against Mississippi State.
* The Gators are 29-25 vs. the Bulldogs on the road.
* Florida has won four-straight games against Mississippi State.
* Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1445&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=Y9eQDs9Eo8q4ce6eEn4F5XKk6252YaL__NvjFLCHtTM&e= > is 22-12 vs. MSU.
* That includes a 8-6 mark in Starkville.
* Thompson extended his on-base streak to 15 games.
* By walking in the fifth inning, Thompson reached safely in his ninth-consecutive plate appearance before being retired via the strikeout in the seventh.
* J. Fabian extended his on-base streak to 12 games.
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O’SULLIVAN
On young players stepping up tonight…
“Yeah, you know, all four guys we threw tonight were freshmen. Neely wasn’t quite himself tonight with four walks and I think he got caught up in his pitch selection… but he did battle. I think it’s a good learning experience for him. Like I told the players at the end, everyone came in and did their job. You know, Philip came in and got four outs and a big strikeout to end his outing. Fisher Jameson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15120&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=R2duoZpk48ARgp0LKSZeRRTE3k9jW09cth9L1fZwl-A&e= > came in with a couple runners on and got a couple ground balls and Ryan was really good for the second night in a row.”
On the offense…
“Offensively, Wyatt and [Sterlin] had a couple hits a piece. Jac came up with two hits tonight with three RBIs. And Ty Evans<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15111&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=cMc75UGFHk5yrexSsTjDS4-pOjNW5x-1niOHsxpv2J01LBMJL07_cqYu8zU2sKhz&s=l7JCQWVUDbq6PQDnrjF9efMIJrkli26n0AKTiZAtlyE&e= > runs into that three-run homer there in the ninth. So, a lot of contributions from a lot of different people. We played errorless baseball and it was a good night overall. Offensively, pitching-wise and defensively.”
On the arms making big pitches when they needed to…
“They did, they did. This has been a learning experience. This is a really difficult place to play in. The fans are into it. There’s not a whole lot of places that you play at this level where it gets as excited as it was tonight. But, what can you say, you hold Mississippi State to three runs over nine innings with four freshmen on the mound. Hopefully, this shows what they’re capable of doing and hopefully their confidence builds a little bit more…. Hopefully, a night like tonight can really propel us moving forward.”
UP NEXT
Florida and Mississippi State go head-to-head in the finale on Sunday, which is scheduled to stream on SEC Network+ at 2 p.m. ET.
###
