2017 College World Series: Florida eliminates TCU, sets up all-SEC final

The Florida Gators are going to the College World Series Final!

In Saturday night’s elimination game against the TCU Horned Frogs, the Gators rode ace Alex Faedo for seven-plus shutout innings en route to a 3-0 victory.

Faedo pitched absolutely masterfully, striking out 11, while allowing three hits and walking four. The Gators needed a big time performance from their ace, and they certainly received it.

The Detroit Tigers, who drafted Faedo earlier this month, could certainly benefit from a pitcher like that.

Mike Rivera opened the scoring for Florida, grounding out to the shortstop with runners on the corners for a fielder’s choice in the second inning. Rivera played a hand in the second run of the game too, as he scored in the fifth on Christian Hicks’ RBI double.

The Gators tacked an insurance run on in the seventh when Deacon Liput brought Hicks in with a single. It was more than enough for Faedo, and, eventually, Michael Byrne who recorded the game’s final eight outs.

There will be a ton of storylines to follow for the Florida/LSU showdown, so be sure to keep it tuned to Team Speed Kills for all the coverage!