Caglianone’s Record-Tying Performance Not Enough To Lift Gators Past Commodores

Jac Caglianone, the two-way phenom of the Florida Gators, made history in the team’s matchup Friday with the No. 13 Vanderbilt Commodores.

Caglianone hit a home run for the ninth game in a row to tie the longest streak in NCAA history. In those nine games, UF has gone 2-7, including a 5-2 loss Friday in Nashville, Tenn. It was Caglianone’s 23rd homer of the season.

NINE-straight games with a homer! 🤯

Cags TIES the all-time NCAA record! #GoGators // 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/yFCRKsRD0C

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) April 20, 2024

The Gators (19-19, 7-10 SEC) dropped their third consecutive SEC series. Florida fell behind 3-0 early, forcing it to play catch-up again. UF eventually cut its deficit to just one run, but Vanderbilt (29-10, 10-7) responded with a pair of runs in the eighth to put the game away.

An All-Around Night To Forget

Redshirt sophomore Pierce Coppola (0-2) pitched 1 2/3 innings to finish with a line of three hits, one walk, two runs and one strikeout. Freshman Liam Peterson took over to only allow one run over the next three innings.

After redshirt junior Ryan Slater kept the Commodores off the board for the next 1 2/3 frames, Luke McNeillie took to the mound facing a one-run deficit. Despite recording a pair of outs in the seventh inning, McNeillie could not keep the Commodores in check. The freshman righty gave up two more runs in the eighth to all but seal Florida’s fate.

The Gators did not fare much better in the batter’s box. Outside of solo home runs from Caglianone and sophomore Brody Donay in the sixth inning, Florida only recorded two hits. Both of those knocks came from sophomore Luke Heyman, who ended up stranded on base both times.

Up Next

The Gators and Commodores will return to Hawkins Field on Saturday for their series finale. Florida will look to avoid its second sweep in SEC play this season, while Vanderbilt will look to add to its 18-game home winning streak. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+, ESPN 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF.