Clemson Super Regional opponent preview: Florida

Florida two-way star Jac Caglianone was in Omaha last year with the Gators, and the host Tigers look to keep that return trip from happening. (Photo: Dylan Widger / USATODAY)

Grayson Mann · Staff Writer · Saturday, June 08 2024

The first one to two goes to Omaha.

Clemson and Florida face off this weekend in the Clemson Super Regional for the right to go to Omaha and the College World Series. Clemson looks to end an Omaha drought that extends back to 2010, and standing in the way is former Clemson assistant Kevin O’Sullivan and his Gators.

Here is a look at the Gators heading into the weekend:

Florida Gators

The Florida Gators (32-28) snuck into the NCAA Tournament, slotted as the No. 3 seed within the Stillwater Regional. The Gators squared off against (1) Oklahoma State, (2) Nebraska, and (4) Niagara.

It marked Florida’s 39th appearance in the NCAA tournament, tied for eighth most in the nation with Arizona.

Overall Record: 32-28
Conference Record: 13-17
Head Coach: Kevin O’Sullivan (17th Season)
Final RPI Ranking: No. 30

Best wins of the season: Florida’s best wins came when it was needed most. The Gators were sent to the losers' bracket last Saturday, only to rally and win three straight games on Sunday and Monday.

Florida defeated (2) Nebraska 17-11 and took down (1) Oklahoma State twice to advance to the Super Regional. The Gators held the Cowboys to four combined runs in those two matchups.

Worst losses of the season: Florida was swept once all season and that came at the hands of the underwhelming Missouri Tigers. The SEC Tigers finished 23-32 (9-21) on the season, missing out on the postseason.

Recent NCAA Tournament History: Florida’s last run in the NCAA Tournament was incredibly successful. The Gators reached the College World Series Finals and lost in three games to LSU.

Florida set off fireworks in a historic 24-4 victory in game two against the Tigers, but the Gators’ fortunes flipped in game three, and they fell 18-4 in Omaha. With a series win against Clemson, the Gators can reach the College World Series, where the program last claimed a championship in 2017.

Position Players

Team batting average: .273 (11th in SEC)
Team home runs: 125 (4th in SEC)
Team on-base percentage: .379 (11th in SEC)
Team strikeouts VS. walks: 553 (4th in SEC) - 248 (11th in SEC)

Top position players:

LHP/1B Jac Caglianone hit .410 with 32 homers and 63 RBIs. Caglianone is a consensus top-five draft pick for the 2024 MLB Draft.
RF Ty Evans hit .316 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs.
Tyler Shelnut hit .268 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs. He also collected four steals in four attempts.
INF Ashton Wilson hit .319 with one homer and 11 RBIs.

Defensively, Florida was tied for 12th in the SEC with 40 errors and a fielding percentage of .981.

Pitching Staff

Team Era: 6.13 (Last in SEC)
Team opposing batting average: .265 (11th in SEC)
Team walks: 274 (Last in SEC)
Team strikeouts: 614 (5th in SEC)

Top pitchers: Jac Caglianone was Florida’s top starter with a 5-2 record and 4.57 ERA and 67 innings pitched. He walked 46 and struck out 76. Brandon Neely went 3-4 and posted a 5.71 ERA. Neely recorded a team-high three saves. Saturday's starter Liam Peterson pitched the third-most innings on the team, recording a 3-4 record with a 5.61 ERA.

Weekend schedule:

Saturday, June 8th, 2 p.m. | ESPN
Sunday, June 9th, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
Monday, June 10th (if Necessary) TBD