Florida takes hold of their College World Series bracket with victory over Oral Roberts

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Hurston Waldrep struck out 12 in six innings, and Florida homered three times in the first four innings to take a four-run lead on Oral Roberts.

Then things got interesting at the College World Series — again.

The Gators took control of Bracket 1 with a 5-4 victory Sunday night. But first Florida had to survive Matt Hogan's inside-the-park home run that pulled ORU within two runs, a bases-loaded situation in the eighth when its closer was forced out of the game because of a mound-visit rules violation, and finally another threat in the ninth.

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Florida outfielder Ty Evans (2) celebrates after his home run with Tyler Shelnut (6) in the second inning against Oral Roberts in a baseball game at the NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Neb., Sunday, June 18, 2023.  (AP Photo/John Peterson)

"These past couple of games that have been played early on in the World Series have been kind of like thrill seekers towards the last couple innings," Gators shortstop Josh Rivera said.

For the first time in CWS history, which dates to 1947, five of the first six games have been decided by one run.

"I think people here in Omaha are getting their money’s worth," ORU coach Ryan Folmar said.

The Gators (52-15) will play Wednesday against the winner of the Tuesday elimination game between ORU and TCU. Florida would have two chances, if needed, to get the one win that would send it to the best-of-three finals beginning Saturday.

The Summit League's Golden Eagles (52-13), the first No. 4 regional seed since 2012 to play in the CWS, are known to punch above their weight, but they looked outclassed early