Florida College World Series 2024 Starting Lineup Today: Who's starting for the Gators tonight?
Florida seeks to stay alive in the 2024 College World Series as it takes on NC State in a do-or-die encounter on Monday, June 17, at 2 p.m. ET at the Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Nebraska. The Gators, the 2023 CWS runner-up but unseeded in this year's tournament, look to bounce back from their heart-breaking 3-2 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies in the first round.
The Kevin O'Sullivan-coached squad takes on Athens Super Regional champions, the Wolfpack, who opened the double-elimination tournament with a 5-4 loss to Kentucky in 10 innings on Saturday.
Both teams look to secure their first win and stay alive in the tournament. The winner will face the loser of the Kentucky-Texas A&M clash on Tuesday evening, while the loser will fall out of contention in the prestigious college baseball event.
Florida Gators starting lineup for June 17
Unlike his counterpart Elliott Avent, Kevin O'Sullivan announced two-way player Jac Caglianone as his starter against NC State. As a pitcher, Caglianone is 5-2 with a 4.71 ERA in 15 starts this season. He has pitched a total of 72 2/3 innings and has recorded 82 strikeouts and 48 walks.
The junior out of Tampa went 2-of-3 against the Aggies but his single and a double didn't do damage in the game. He is expected to bat second behind second baseman Cade Kurland, who went 0-4 in the Texas A&M duel.
Ashton Wilson will bat third for Florida. The right fielder looks to bounce back from a 0-of-4 outing. Shortstop Colby Shelton is set to bat at the cleanup spot for the Gators. He went hitless in four at-bats against the Aggies.
Catcher Luke Heyman will be designated as the fifth batter for the Gators. Heyman went 1-of-4 against Texas A&M. Tyler Shelnut is set to start as left-fielder for Florida and will bat sixth in the order. Shelnut was 1-of-3 and scored a run in his previous outing against the Aggies.
Third baseman Dale Thomas is expected to bat seventh for the Gators. He went 2-of-4 with one run and one RBI in Florida's first game in the 2024 CWS. Brody Donay is set to play as the designated hitter and bat eighth in the order. He went hitless in three at-bats against Texas A&M. Centerfielder Michael Robertson will bat ninth for Florida as he went 2-of-4 with one RBI.
Florida Gators stars to watch
Jac Caglianone
Jac Caglianone will pitch and bat for Florida in the all-important clash against NC State. As a batter, Caglianone has hit .414 with 33 home runs and 68 RBIs. His on-base percentage is .536 and his slugging percentage is .862.
Colby Shelton
Colby Shelton hit .253 in 63 games for the Gators. He has recorded 20 homers and 55 RBIs this season. His slugging percentage is .555 and his on-base percentage is .374.
Luke Heyman
Luke Heyman is a .247 hitter this season and has homered 16 times. He has driven in 49 runs this season. Heyman has a slugging and on-base percentage of .486 and .347, respectively.