OMAHA, Neb. — Florida baseball two-way star Jac Caglianone set a goal before the season to return to the College World Series Finals for a second straight season and finish the job after falling a game short against LSU.
Through a shaky year in which UF just won 28 regular season games, the Florida Gators nearly achieved that goal before ending its season as one of the last three teams standing in the College World Series VAN EV
Caglianone went 2 for 4 in his final game in a UF uniform, extending his on base streak to 52 straight games, but it wasn't enough as Florida lost 6-0 to Texas A&M before 25,429 at Charles Schwab Field. The loss ended UF's season at 36-30, but not before Florida won five straight elimination games in the postseason to reach that point.
A projected top-five pick overall pick in next month's amateur draft, Caglianone finished his career as UF's all-time home run leader (75) and the first player in SEC history to post back-to-back seasons of 30 or more home runs.
As a pitcher who could throw up to 97 miles per hour and a hitter that blasted prodigious 500-foot home runs, Caglianone created memories on the UF diamond that will be talked about for generations.
"Really just somebody who gave their all," Caglianone said, who asked how he would like to be remembered. "Day-in and day-out I just wanted to fight for those guys next to me."
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Caglianone grew as a player and leader throughout his three-year UF career, overcoming an elbow injury as a freshman that forced him to DH to helping lead UF to back-to-back CWS appearances as a sophomore and junior.
"The difference I've seen from him from the day I met him to now has been tremendous," Florida left fielder Tyler Shelnut said. "He's grown as an individual and a player beyond comprehension. He's a terrific kid and a great teammate."
When pitched to, Caglianone was force throughout UF's postseason run, going 16 for 36 (.444) with 6 home runs and 18 RBIs in 11 postseason games.
Steering Right Suv Car "Being able to wear this uniform jersey the last three years is something I'm not going to take for granted," Caglianone said. "All these guys that have worn it before us, all we try to do is make them proud and we really appreciate what Florida is all about."