OMAHA, Neb. – The Florida Gators are one win away from advancing to the championship round at the College World Series.
Florida faces TCU at 8 p.m. Friday and must win one of the next two games against the Horned Frogs to earn the right to play in the best-of-three finals that begin on Monday.
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Florida began their run in Omaha with a 3-0 shutout of TCU.
Sophomore Jackson Kowar, who has won all 12 decisions this season, is scheduled to make his first career start in Omaha. Kowar is coming off his shortest outing of the season against Wake Forest in the Gainesville Super Regional. Kowar lasted 4 2/3 innings while surrendering 10 hits and 5 runs.
TCU will counter with 6-foot-7-inch redshirt senior Mitchell Traver (4-1, 3.79 ERA).
The Gators (49-18) have won their first two CWS games for the first time in four appearances since opening 3-0 and reaching the finals in 2011 for the second time in school history. Florida has never won a national championship in baseball.
Florida has excelled this season thanks in large part to strong pitching. The team has also battled through adversity in the post-season.
"We play with a lot of heart and we stay close together. It's awesome to play with 'Gators' across your chest," said second baseman Deacon Liput. "I love the way we play and how close we are."
TCU, like the Gators, will be looking for their 50th win of the season.
"We know we're going to face a great team that's not only talented, but they're hot," said TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle. "They're playing with a lot of confidence. And they're absolutely loaded on the mound."