The Florida Gators (50-17) blasted five home runs in a 8-6 game three victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs (38-25) Sunday afternoon in Gainesville to earn their spot in next weeks' College World Series.
In a game that saw 12 pitchers used from both teams, eight from the Bulldogs and four for the Gators, there was just too much power from Florida to keep them away from this deciding game three win.
The SEC Player of the Year Mike Zunino, the Gators catcher, got the home run party started early for Florida with his 1st inning blast to left-center field to put the Gators on top 1-0.
Daniel Pigott blasted two home runs on the day, a two-run shot in the 2nd inning, and a solo shot in the 8th inning. Vikash Ramjit added a solo home run in the 2nd inning as well. But it was Preston Tuckers three-run blast in the 7th inning that brought the Gators back from a 6-4 deficit to give them a 7-6 lead.
Nick Vickerson, the game two hero for Mississippi State blasted a three-run home run in the 4th inning to bring the Bulldogs to within one run at 4-3.
The Gators join North Carolina and Vanderbilt as the only three teams to earn their spot in the College World Series to this point.