Watch: Auburn RF’s blunder helps send Florida to CWS
A blunder by Auburn’s right fielder helped send Florida back to the College World Series on a walk-off home run.
The Tigers were facing the Gators in the third game of their super regional, with the winner heading to Omaha and the loser’s season coming to an end. The game was tied at two in the 11th when Austin Langworthy sent a 1-2 pitch deep to right.
Auburn’s right fielder, Steven Williams, raced back for the ball and reached up for the catch. It looked like he had the ball on the warning track, but it bounced out of his glove and over the fence at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium in Gainesville.
College World Series birth on the line.
Off his glove over the fence.
All time disaster. pic.twitter.com/ngUEKwFuPD
— Chuck Naso (@ChuckNaso) June 12, 2018
Auburn was that close to knocking off the defending champs. Instead, the Gators head to the College World Series for the fourth straight year on a walk-off home run.
What’s important to note is that Williams, who was a huge reason for Auburn’s success this season, is not an outfielder by trade. The freshman slugger was a catcher in high school and is new to the outfield. He was batting .290 on the season with 12 home runs and was one of the team’s big offensive producers.