The 2024 Men’s College World Series (MCWS) brought more excitement with yet another grand slam in Omaha. For the third consecutive year, a bases-loaded homer was hit at Charles Schwab Field. This time, it was Florida’s Brody Donay who powered one out in the first inning of a crucial match against Kentucky. With this hit, the grand slam count in MCWS history reached 52, and it was the second consecutive grand slam for a Gators player.
Just last year, Florida’s Ty Evans also made headlines by hitting a grand slam against LSU during the championship finals, marking a historic moment as the first grand slam ever recorded in the finals. This achievement highlights the intensity and skill present in college baseball.
Florida’s Grand Slam Moments
Achieving a grand slam is a remarkable feat, especially on such a big stage. Donay’s grand slam set the tone for the game, giving Florida a quick 7-1 lead. They ended up winning decisively, 15-4, with Donay himself finishing the game with two home runs and five RBIs. His grand slam left fans in awe with an exit velocity of 117.6 mph.
In 2023, Evans’s grand slam during the finals was just as impressive, traveling at an exit velocity of 109 mph. This hit helped open the floodgates in that championship game, causing excitement among spectators.
A Look Back at Grand Slams
The first grand slam in MCWS history happened in 1950 when Texas’s Kal Segrist went deep against Washington State. This grand slam marked the start of many moments that would electrify college baseball. Fast forward to 2022, after a four-year drought with no grand slams, Oklahoma’s Jackson Nicklaus hit a crucial one to put the Sooners ahead.
The MCWS has seen several teams excel in hitting grand slams, with Cal State Fullerton and Stanford both recording six each. Notably, a unique record stands with Freed Messner from Western Michigan, who hit the only pinch-hit grand slam in MCWS history back in 1955.
Exciting Game-Ending Moments
Over the years, grand slams have continuously amazed fans and players alike, with two instances where these hits resulted in a team’s only runs: Ithaca’s Don Fazio in 1962 and Texas’s Mike Brumley in 1983. It’s fascinating to see how a single hit can be so impactful in the world of college baseball.
With several powerful teams advancing to Omaha in the MCWS, the potential for more grand slams remains high. Fans can look forward to even more thrilling moments as this championship continues.
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