Florida crushes Kentucky 15-4, faces Texas A&M for spot in final

Field Level Media|published: Wed 19th June, 15:12 2024

Jun 19, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators designated hitter Brody Donay (29) celebrates with right fielder Ashton Wilson (30), third baseman Dale Thomas (1) and catcher Luke Heyman (28) after hitting a grand slam against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Brody Donay's opposite field grand slam in the first inning ignited a 15-run outburst from Florida and the Gators eliminated No. 2 seed Kentucky from the College World Series on Wednesday.

Donay was 3-for-5 with two home runs out of the eighth spot in the lineup while Florida lefty Pierce Coppola (1-4) got the win for the Gators with a career-best five innings and nine strikeouts in the 15-4 win.

Florida (36-29) avoided elimination and set up a second game Wednesday night against No. 3 Texas A&M (51-13). The Aggies beat Florida 3-2 on Saturday after a four-hour weather delay.

The winner of Wednesday's game advances to the College World Series final.

Donay lifted a first-pitch curveball into the Wildcats' bullpen to give Florida a 7-1 lead and homered again in the fifth as part of the Gators' 14-hit performance.

Kentucky (46-16) starter Dominic Niman (8-5) didn't make it out of the first inning and was charged with five earned runs before Cameron O'Brien entered and allowed Donay's grand slam.

Florida freshman relievers Jake Clemente and Alex Philpott combined for seven strikeouts in four scoreless innings in relief of Coppola.

--Field Level Media