Monday's College World Series action will start with an elimination game in the early afternoon.
Florida and N.C. State face off in Omaha fighting for their right to stay in the tournament after each team lost its respective first-round game by one run. With one loss apiece in the double-elimination bracket, both the Gators and Wolfpack will need to avoid any more losses through four games to advance to the CWS finals.
These two teams have only met seven times ever in their programs' history and six times in the postseason tournament. The Gators hold a 5-2 edge in head-to-head matchups.
The most recent clash between the two teams was game two of a super regional in June 2012. It finished as a 9-8 extra-innings win for Florida against an N.C. State roster that featured current MLB players Carlos Rodón and Trea Turner.
Here's everything to know about Monday's elimination game in the College World Series.
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES:What games are on Monday? Florida, NC State play for their season
Wolfpack cut deficit back to one with a pair of doubles
After Pennington began the bottom of the fifth with a hard-hit double to left field, Fisher nearly got out of trouble with an ensuing groundout and strikeout. But Butterworth secured his second RBI of the game with a double of his own to right field.
Shelnut mashes solo homer to extend Gators' lead
Down 1-2 in the count, the left fielder pulled a Whitaker changeup into the bullpen behind the wall in left field. It put the Gators ahead 5-3 on a rare mistake pitch from Whitaker, who's up to six strikeouts in three innings of work.
Fisher faces minimum in the fourth
Fisher induced three ground balls in his third inning of work, including one that Kurland misplayed and another that resulted in a double play.
Whitaker strikes out three, strands two in the fourth
In a second inning of relief, Whitaker allowed one single (by Robertson) and an intentional walk (to Caglianone) but struck out Donay, Kurland and Wilson to keep a clean sheet.
NC State strikes back with 2-run home run
After Pennington gets on thanks to a fastball to the wrist, Makarewicz belts a two-run home run into left and brings the Wolfpack within one.
Score: Florida 4, NC State 3
Fisher starts out shaky in the third
Pennington is a magnet today. The bottom of the third gets started with Pennington getting plunked for the second time today. Fisher had the honors this time around.
Whitaker takes over for NC State
Logan Whitaker takes the bump in the third and gets an immediate strikeout on Heyman with a timely changeup after back-to-back 93 mile-per-hour fastballs.
Florida in a groove
Cade Fisher couldn't have asked for a better half inning. Comes in for relief and gets a pop-out and issues two consecutive ground outs. We head to the top of the third.
Florida up early as Fisher relieves Caglianone
Fritton gets out of a nightmare half-inning with a swinging strike three on Shelton. Florida now heads to the bottom of second with the lead.
Cade Fisher now takes the bump, reliving Caglianone who has done enough with the bat to make up for the run issued in the first. The broadcast mentions that there is nothing wrong with Caglianone's arm and is merely resting with fatigue.
Caglianone crushes three-run home run
Florida is now fully in control after Jac Caglianone crushes a three-run home run beyond right field. Fritton continues to struggle with an immediate walk to Wilson after.
Score: Florida 4, NC State 1
Florida ties it up
Dale Thomas scores from third on a sac fly by Kurland. Florida ties it up with Caglianone up with runners on.
Florida is threatening with bases loaded
Fritton gets off to a shaky start in the second. After getting a line out to short, the pitcher has issued consecutive walks to Donay and Thomas. Then Michael Robertson lines a single to left to load the bases with Jac Caglianone on deck.
NC State flashes the leather
Shelnut gets a good piece of one but is robbed by the quick glove of Butterworth who saves a single for the first out.
Wolfpack strike first in bottom of the first
After Florida starter Jac Caglianone hit a batter and issued two walks, N.C. State shortstop Brandon Butterworth cashed in for the Wolfpack with an RBI single.
NC State SP Dominic Fritton hits two, Ks two in first
Dominic Fritton induced an easy groundout to second base then struck out top MLB draft prospect and opposing starter Jac Caglianone to begin the game. He followed that up with back-to-back hit batsmen before settling for a strikeout to end the inning.
Florida Gators lineup:
SP: LHP Jac Caglianone
- 2B Cade Kurland
- P Jac Caglianone
- RF Ashton Wilson
- SS Colby Shelton
- 1B Luke Heyman
- LF Tyler Shelnut
- 3B Dale Thomas
- C Brody Donay
- CF Michael Robertson
NC State Wolfpack lineup:
SP: LHP Dominic Fritton
- CF Eli Serrano III
- 1B Garrett Pennington
- 3B Alec Makarewicz
- C Jacob Cozart
- SS Brandon Butterworth
- DH Alex Sosa
- LF Luke Nixon
- 2B Matt Heavner
- RF Noah Soles
How did the NC State Wolfpack get here?
N.C. State hosted a regional as the No. 10 national seed and swept through their region, winning all three games to head to the Athens super regional against Georgia. The Wolfpack blew out the Bulldogs, 18-1, in game one then were blown out, 11-2, in game two. N.C. State prevailed in the ensuing game three to make their way to Omaha for the second time in four years.
The Wolfpack lost their first game in Omaha to Kentucky in heartbreaking fashion. They took the lead in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch before allowing the Wildcats to tie it and force extra innings with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the inning. Kentucky walked it off on another home run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, sending N.C. State to an elimination game.
How did the Florida Gators get here?
The Gators won the Stillwater Regional after playing just two teams. They beat Nebraska to start the tournament, then lost to Oklahoma State the following day. The next day they faced the Huskers again – whom they eliminated with another win – before getting their revenge on the Cowboys later that evening to force a winner-take-all regional final. They beat the regional hosts once again to head to the super regional.
Florida matched up with Clemson in the super regional and took care of business in two games – including a 13-inning marathon in game two – for the best-of-3 series sweep. That sent the Gators to Omaha, where they lost their first game, 2-3, to Texas A&M, forcing this elimination game on Monday.
College World Series bracket: Remaining Schedule
Elimination games will be denoted with an asterisk (*). Away teams listed first. All times Eastern.
Monday, June 17
- *Game 7: Florida vs. N.C. State, 2 p.m.
- Game 8: Texas A&M vs. Kentucky, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18
- *Game 9: Florida State vs. North Carolina, 2 p.m.
- *Game 10: Winner of Game 7 vs. Loser of Game 8, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 19
- Game 11: Winner of Game 9 vs. Tennesee, 2 p.m.
- Elimination game for Game 9 winner
- Game 12: Winner of Game 10 vs. Winner of Game 8, 7 p.m.
- Elimination game for Game 10 winner
Thursday, June 20
Times TBD.
- Bracket 1 final: Only necessary if Game 9 winner beats Tennessee in Game 11
- Bracket 2 final: Only necessary if Game 10 winner beats Game 8 winner
Men's College World Series Finals
Best-of-three series between Bracket 1 winner and Bracket 2 winner.
- Game 1: Saturday, June 22, 7:30 p.m.
- Game 2: Sunday, June 23, 2 p.m.
- Game 3 (if necessary): Monday, June 24, 7 p.m.
Florida vs. NC State predictions:
The Fayetteville Observer: N.C. State 5, Florida 4
Rodd Baxley writes: "The Wolfpack hasn’t lost back-to-back games since late April. N.C. State’s consistency and power at the top of the lineup will help it stick around in Omaha for a bit longer."
The Gainesville Sun: Florida 6, N.C. State 3
Kevin Brockway writes: "The Gators have been resilient throughout the postseason, so it's hard to expect anything different on Monday. Even if Caglianone struggles, Florida could turn to closer Brandon Neely early after Neely threw 23 pitches in two scoreless innings on Saturday."
Action Network: Take Florida to win and don't expect many home runs
Collin Wilson writes: "If Caglianone takes the mound, Florida projects as a -144 favorite ... Winds continue to be a major factor at Charles Schwab Field, as numerous home runs have been caught at the warning track. The wind projects at 20 mph sustained with over 30 mph gusts blowing straight in from right-center."
Florida vs. NC State: Odds, spread and lines for College World Series
The Gators are favored to win Monday's game, according to the BetMGM college baseball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting appsoffering 2024 sports betting promos.
Odds listed as of Monday.
- Spread: Florida (-1.5)
- Moneyline: Florida (-145); N.C. State (+110)
- O/U: 9.5
College World Series tickets
Prices for Monday's game at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha range from $10-100 before fees on Ticketmaster.
Florida vs. NC State: TV, time, streaming and how to watch
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