Gators Claim First CWS Title, Fulfilling Program's Promise

As fireworks lit up the Omaha skyline above TD Ameritrade Park and blue and orange streamers soared over the infield, Florida fell into a raucous dogpile between the mound and first base.

- Teddy Cahill

Florida had just defeated Louisiana State, 6-1, on June 27 in Game 2 of the College World Series finals to complete a sweep and win the first national championship in program history. Righthander Alex Faedo was named Most Outstanding Player after two dominant starts in the first week of the tournament carried the Gators to the finals.

The victory left coach Kevin O’Sullivan, who has led the Gators to Omaha six times in the last eight seasons, speechless even an hour after the final out.

“You never know how you’re going to feel when you get the last out in the College World Series, and I’m still kind of numb,” he said. “Just overwhelmed with emotions for our players.”

Florida (52-19) relied on its elite rotation all spring and throughout the CWS. But because of how the schedule fell, the Gators were unable to start any of their trio of Faedo, Brady Singer and Jackson Kowar. Instead, Florida called on freshman righthander Tyler Dyson, typically its setup man, to make just his second career start against LSU lefthander Jared Poche’, the winningest pitcher in program history.

Dyson outdueled Poche’, holding the Tigers (52-20) to one run on three hits and two walks in six innings. He turned a lead over to closer Michael Byrne as he had done so many times this season.

“I didn’t get much sleep last night, thinking about this game,” Dyson said. “I just went out there and executed the pitch call.”

LSU, however, didn’t make anything easy for Florida. The Gators grabbed an early lead with one run in both of the first two innings, but they were unable to expand it against Poche’. And the Tigers’ potent offense threatened late in the game.