CLEMSON- Michael Robertson’s 2-run single in the bottom of the thirteenth inning gave Florida a 11-10 walk-off win over No. 6 national seed Clemson on Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, ending the Tigers season.

Alden Mathes’ 394-foot solo homer out to right in the top of the thirteenth inning momentarily gave Clemson a one run lead, but it wasn’t meant to be as the Tigers go 0-2 over the weekend and drop a home Super Regional for the first time in program history.

Assistants Jack Leggett, Griffin Mazur, as well as head coach Erik Bakich were all ejected from the contest after Mathes’ home run.

Cam Cannarella hit a game-tying 3-run homer in the top of the ninth, then made a highlight reel over the shoulder catch in the bottom of the tenth that once again kept the Tigers alive, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.

Austin Gordon, also did his part, coming out of the bullpen to hold the Gators to just two earned runs, while striking out 10, over a season-high five innings of work. Gordon’s 86 pitches were also by far a season-high.

Jac Caglianone got the start for Florida (33-29) and held the Tigers to four runs on five hits across 5 2/3 innings, while also driving in two with a mammoth 2-run homer in the first inning, his second long ball in as many days.

Aidan Knaak got the nod for Clemson, allowing five runs on four hits across 4 1/3 innings. The freshman struck out five but also walked three and hit two batters as well. It’s just the second time all season the Tigers have lost when Knaak starts a game.

Clemson had an opportunity to get on the board early after Blake Wright doubled off the wall in left with two outs in the top of the first, but Cannarella would ground to second to end the threat.

Florida would then strike quickly their first time at the plate. After Knaak hit Cade Kurland with his very first pitch, Caglianone would hit a 432-foot shot out to center giving the Gators an early 2-0 lead. It was Caglianone’s second homer of the weekend and 33rd of the season.

In the top of the second, the Tigers would get another 2-out double, this time from Jack Crigthon, but a swinging bunt by Nolan Nawrocki, that was fielded by Caglianone coming off the pitcher’s mound towards first, ended with a hard tag on Nawrocki that resulted in both benches entering the field. Although no punches were thrown, Crighton would be ejected.

In the top of the third, Clemson would get on the board as Jacob Hinderleider doubled into the gap in right-center with one out, plating Jarren Purify from second and making it 2-1. Blake Wright would then hit one out to dead center, his 22nd homer of the season, giving the Tigers their first lead at 3-2.

Florida would tie it right it right back up at 3-3 in the bottom half of the inning on a 2-out RBI single by Colby Shelton.

The Gators would retake the lead in the fifth, as Florida loaded the bases with just one out. Shelton would once again single off of Knaak, driving in two and giving the Gators a 5-3 lead, while at the same time ending Knaak’s afternoon. Reed Garris would come on in relief and strike out the next two hitters, stranding runners at the corners and preventing any further damage.

Jimmy Obertop’s 22nd long ball of the season, a solo shot out to left in the sixth, pulled the Tigers to within 5-4. It was Obertop’s second home run of the Super Regional.

A 2-run shot by Brody Donay of off Garris in the bottom of the sixth, his 12th of the season, would give the Gators a 7-4 advantage, and end Garris’ day.

Clemson would cut into the lead in the top of the eighth when an RBI single by Cannarella made it 7-5 Florida. After Obertop drew a walk, putting runners at first and second with nobody out, the Gators turned to closer Brandon Neely, who struck out Tristan Bissetta for the first out of the inning. Tristan McCladdie, who replaced Crighton, would then lace a two-strike single into right to pull the Tigers back to with a run at 7-6. Neely would get the next two hitters, stranding runners at first and second.

Ashton Wilson’s 2-run homer off of Gordon in the bottom of the eighth pushed Florida’s lead back to three at 9-6.

Clemson would get one-out singles in the ninth by Hinderleider and Wright, bringing the tying run to the plate and one batter later Cannarella would launch a massive shot out to right to tie the game at 9-9.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!