Scouting report, prediction Florida baseball vs Clemson at NCAA Super Regional (2024)

Florida baseball spent four months figuring out right roles for different players during the 2024 season.

The Florida Gators may have found the answers just in time.

Florida is just two wins away from its second straight trip to the College World Series. The Gators (32-28) will enter NCAA Super Regional play on Saturday at Clemson confident after winning three straight games in the span of two days against Nebraska and No. 11 national seed Oklahoma State.

Clemson (44-14) won its host regional last week, beating Coastal Carolina 12-5 in the title game. The Tigers. under second-year coach Erik Bakich, have won seven of their last eight games.

Florida is making its 10th Super Regional appearance under head coach Kevin O'Sullivan. It will be an emotional return to Clemson for O'Sullivan, who worked under former Clemson coach Jack Leggett from 1999-2007 as an assistant coach before taking the UF job. O'Sullivan and Bakich were both on Leggett's staff in 2002, a year in which Clemson reached the College World Series.

Florida will start freshman righty Liam Peterson on Saturday (3-4, 5.61) in an attempt to pick up a crucial first win in the Clemson series. Peterson won UF's Stillwater Regional opener against Nebraska and has been stellar in his last six appearances, holding opponents to a .209 batting average and 2.55 ERA over 24 2/3 innings.

Key players for Florida baseball, Clemson baseball

Clemson — RHP Aidan Knaack (5-1, 2.96 ERA), OF Cam Cannarella (10 home runs, 56 RBI, .343 average), 3B Blake Wright (.333, 21 HRs, 72 RBIs)

Florida — 1B/P Jac Caglianone (.410, 31 HRs, 63 RBIs; 5-2, 4.57 ERA), P Brandon Neely (3-4, 5.71 ERA, 3 saves), SS Colby Shelton (.261, 20 HRs, 52 RBIs).

Why Florida baseball will win the Super Regional

Florida has its pitching lined up well with Peterson's confidence growing in each outing and Brandon Neely and Fisher Jameson throwing the ball exceptionally well out of the bullpen. If Florida two-way star Jac Caglianone can give UF a quality start on Saturday, the Gators will be tough to beat. Florida held Oklahoma State's high-powered offense to just four runs in its final two meetings against the Cowboys in the Stillwater Regional. Lefty Pierce Coppola and lefty Cade Fisher could be called upon for a third game if needed, along with freshman arms Jake Clemente (righty) and Frank Menendez (lefty).

Offensively, Florida will play in another small ballpark, which favors UF's slugging lineup. Doug Kingsmore Stadium is 320 feet down the left field line, 400 feet in dead center and 330 feet down the right field line. Florida belted nine home runs in five games in the Stillwater Regional at cozy O'Brate Stadium and its 125 home runs rank sixth nationally. Right fielder Ashton Wilson, who earned Stillwater Regional MVP honors after going 9 for 21 with a home run and 6 RBIs, is providing protection behind Caglianone (.410, 31 home runs, 63 RBIs) in the third spot in the lineup. The series will be a homecoming of sorts for Wilson, a transfer who played college baseball in South Carolina last season at Charleston Southern. Shortstop Colby Shelton (5-for-11, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs over his last three games), a Lexington, S.C., native, also is swinging a hot bat.

Defensively, center fielder Michael Robertson and third baseman Dale Thomas delivered game-saving plays during the Stillwater Regional. Both have helped solidify UF's outfield and infield defense. UF's .981 fielding percentage ranks fifth nationally.

Why Florida baseball won't win the Super Regional

Clemson's first two starters — sophom*ore lefty Tristan Smith (2-0, 3.88 ERA) and freshman righty Aidan Knaak — will shut down a Florida lineup that's still prone to striking out too much (9.2 per game). Knaack, a former Fort Myers Bishop Verot high standout, will be amped up facing his home-state team.

Clemson's lineup, with five starters batting .300 or better, will wear down UF's pitchers. Florida used 13 different pitchers over a two-day stretch to win the Stillwater Regional, which could take its toll on the Gators, especially if the series extends to three games.

With all three games sold out, the raucous Clemson crowd could play a role in UF potentially making mistakes at critical times.

Prediction

Clemson wins in two games. The Tigers will ride home field advantage to pull out a pair of close games and reach the College World Series for the first time since 2010.

Florida baseball vs Clemson ticket information

All-session tickets for the Clemson Super Regional are sold out, though limited tickets are available for purchase at Doug Kingsmore Stadium 90 minutes before each game. Fans can also purchase tickets on secondary markets here.

Clemson is planning to open McWhorter Stadium, home of Clemson Softball, on Saturday and Sunday to view both games on the video board.

Florida baseball vs Clemson betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds will be updated as they become available.

Moneyline:Florida (+140), Clemson (-185)

Florida baseball vs Clemson Super Regional Schedule

Game 1, June 8 — Florida baseball vs. Clemson, 2 p.m, ESPN

Game 2, June 9 — Florida baseball vs. Clemson, 2:30 p.m, ESPN

Game 3, June 10 — Florida baseball vs. Clemson, TBD, if necessary