The Florida Gators are going to the College World Series final, and the team owes a big thanks to center fielder Michael Robertson for making that happen.
Robertson made a spectacular catch in the bottom of the ninth for the final out to preserve a 3-2 win and clinch the CWS semifinal over the TCU Horned Frogs.
The Gators (53-15) will face the winner of Wednesday night’s No. 1 Wake Forest vs. No. 5 LSU matchup in the championship series. The best-of-three final begins June 24.
Florida’s win could have had a different outcome if not for Robertson’s heroics. With the Gators nursing that one-run lead in the ninth, TCU slugger Brayden Taylor hit a deep drive to left center. Robertson turned and chased at full speed, catching the ball just as he crashed into the outfield wall.
Robertson also scored the winning run in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Cade Kurland.
All baseball fans appreciate a spectacular catch, but the stakes involved in this play cranked it up a notch or two in the “Great Catch” ratings.
THE FLORIDA GATORS ARE IN THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FINAL!!!!!!
MICHAEL ROBERTSON MAKES AN INSANE CATCH TO END IT!!!!! OH MY GOD! pic.twitter.com/KafLvbJP6m
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 21, 2023
[Photo Credit: ESPN]