The Gators are College World Series champions, claiming the first national title in program history with a momentous 6-1 win over LSU on Tuesday night at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb.
Florida (52-19) swept the best-of-three finals series against the co-SEC champion Tigers (52-20) to end the wait after previously finishing as the national runner-up in 2005 and 2011. Overall, this was the program’s sixth trip to Omaha in the last eight years under coach Kevin O’Sullivan, the pressure mounting with each successive College World Series appearance. But no more.
“You never know how you’re going to feel when you get the last out in the College World Series, and I’m still kind of numb,” O’Sullivan said afterward. “But just overwhelmed with emotions for our players.”
Florida had flaws, endured slumps, battled injuries and faced elimination three times this NCAA postseason, but there was just something about these Gators. When they needed to win, they did. When the offense could only push across a couple or a few runs, the pitching made it count.
Time and time again.