Like every great game, there are ups and downs for each team, but one team walks away victorious. Depending on who you were rooting for, you are either ecstatic, or disappointed. The Florida Gators defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 6-4. The Gators advanced to the College World Series finals, to play the winner of Virginia and South Carolina (the CWS Champions from last year).
After the first inning, the Commodores had high hopes that they could rattle the pitcher for the rest of the game. But, that wasn't the case today. After Aaron Westlake's solo home run in the top of the 1st inning, Alex Panteliodis shut down the Commodores only allowing two more hits in six innings pitched and also striking out 3 batters.
But it wasn't pitching or defense that made this game special. It was the offense, and the Gators ability to pull away after the three run rally made the Commodores in the seventh inning. The Commodores' rally came in the top of the seventh with 2 outs, it ignited when Mike Yastrzemski hit a single to straight away center, which lead to some clutch at bats by Conrad Gregor, and Connor Harrell. Also, the Commodores showed patience at the plate when Bryan Johns, and Tony Kemp watched ball four and took the walk, which lead to another run scored by the Commodores. The rally ended when Anthony Gomez flied out to right field, but the Commodores were trailing 4-3, but they weren't ready to give up just yet. After pitcher Sonny Gray shut down the Gators in the seventh, the Commodores started yet another rally. It was started by Curt Casali's single to shallow center, then the rally was continued by some other clutch hits made by, Mike Yastrzemski and Jason Esposito, (Esposito getting his first hit of the CWS). Then Conrad Gregor watched ball four go by, and yet again the bases were loaded for the Commodores with one out in the top of the eighth. Then, Connor Harrell hit a line drive into the gap in left field, but Nolan Fontana SS, made a magnificent diving grab to end Vandy's scoring chances. With two outs, Vandy needed a clutch at bat by their pinch hitter Bryan Johns. The Commodores looked to their senior hitter, to give them one last chance at taking the lead. Bryan Johns hit a ground ball to the third baseman, who tagged third for the third out.
Tied at four a piece, the Gators started their own rally in the eighth. It was started by three straight singles that loaded up the bases for Preston Tucker who singled into deep left, which scored a run and gave Florida a 5-4 lead. But, the Gators rally did not end there. The Gators scored their sixth run on a wild strike three pitch made by Mark Lamm that advanced the runner from second to third, and third to home. That two run lead was all that the Gators needed to surpass the Commodores and advance to the College World Series Finals.
DEFENSIVE MVP: Alex Panteliodis, 6 IP, 3 HITS, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3K
OFFENSIVE MVP: Nolan Fontana, 3 AB, 2 HITS, 2 RBI
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