Adam Davis' three-run homer helped lift Florida past Arizona State, 6-3, at Rosenblatt Stadium, as the Gators advanced to the College World Series championship.
Florida, which lost its first game of the NCAA Tournament after it fell to the Sun Devils on Wednesday, will face Texas in the first game of the best-of- three set on Saturday. The Longhorns secured a spot in the championship on Wednesday with a win over Baylor.
The Gators will be trying for their first CWS title in their fifth appearance.
Jeff Larish and Colin Curtis each had two hits for Arizona State, which had won five straight NCAA Tournament elimination games before losing tonight.
The Sun Devils were cruising along until a controversial play in the fourth inning. With a runner on first, Brandon McArthur was ruled out on a questionable fan interference call, as ASU catcher Tuffy Gosewisch was attempting to make a sliding catch. The fan clearly interfered on the play, but Gosewisch would have had to make an unbelievable play to make the catch.
Florida manager Pat McMahon then argued vehemently to no avail. However, his Gators team seemed to respond, as the next batter, Brian LeClerc, ripped a 3-1 pitch over the wall in right-center field to pull Florida within 3-2.
The Gators then exploded for four runs in the fifth on the strength of back- to-back home runs to seize control of the contest. Davis' three-run blast was the big hit in the frame and was followed by Matt LaPorta's shot.
Tommy Boss, who came on in relief of injured starter Alan Horne, earned the win by allowing just four hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
After losing their CWS opener to Nebraska, the Sun Devils eliminated Tennessee on Sunday before knocking out the Cornhuskers on Tuesday. ASU also lost the opener of the its Super Regional before defeating defending champion Cal State-Fullerton twice.