Florida forces Game 3 of MCWS Finals with record-setting afternoon

Florida scored 24 runs – the most in a game in Men’s College World Series history – to force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the MCWS Finals against LSU on Monday (7 ET on ESPN). The Gators are seeking their second national championship (2017) while the Tigers are seeking their seventh (first since 2009).

Before Florida’s 24-run outburst on Sunday no team had scored more than six runs in a game at this year’s Men’s College World Series. The 24-4 victory matched the second-largest win in MCWS history: Notre Dame beat Northern Colorado 23-2 in 1957 and Arizona defeated Northern Colorado 20-0 in 1955.

With the wind blowing out to center at 20 mph, Florida hit six home runs in the game. No team had hit more than four at a Men’s College World Series game since the move to Charles Schwab Field in 2011. The previous record for a MCWS Finals game was five by Texas in 2009 … against LSU.

Ty Evans and Jac Caglianone both hit two homers in the win. Before this game only two players had hit multiple homers in a MCWS Finals game: Russell Moldenhauer in 2009 for Texas and Fresno State’s Steve Detwiler in 2008.

The Gators have hit 14 home runs in this year’s Men’s College World Series, five more than any other team has since the move to Charles Schwab Field in 2011. It’s tied for the third-most homers in *any* Men’s College World Series behind LSU and USC (both hit 17 in 1998).

LSU allowed more runs in the first six innings (13) than it had in its first six games at the Men’s College World Series (11). It’s the most runs that the Tigers have allowed in 245 NCAA Tournament games in program history.

LSU committed five errors in the game, the most that any team has committed in a MCWS Finals game.

Looking ahead to game 3, seven of the 10 teams to force Game 3 in the MCWS Finals have gone on to win the title, including each of the past five.  We will have more on this game during Shemon and Sheppard 2-6pm.

Minor League Baseball is always looking for ways to put fans in the stands. From fun promotions during the game, to discount nights. For instance, the Sioux City Iowa Explorers do a 'Pack The Park Night' where everyone gets in free. The Dayton Ohio Dragons let scouts camp out on the field after some games. Our very own Fort Myers Mighty Mussels have a special promotion just about every single game. The big one is the July 3rd fireworks show after the game. This looks to be the biggest fireworks show ever held at Hammond Stadium with a 12 minute display.  But the Explorers and Dragons lack what Fort Myers has. A name on this list.

Having a truly unique Minor League Baseball team name makes them more memorable. Which can attract crowds. And sell more merchandise. It's why Florida's very own Fort Myers Miracle changed their name to the Mighty Mussels. They can name the team anything they want as long as we can do the Festival Of Beers and I can bring my pretzel necklace. But this isn't a ranking of promotions, it's about team names.

Since I'm a Fort Myers resident and totally biased, we need to keep this impartial. Casino.org surveyed 4,000 baseball fans across the nation to find out the ranking for the most outrageous Minor League Baseball team name and here’s what they decided.

Toledo's team name became nationally famous due the tv "MASH". The character "Klinger" in the show mentioned the Mud Hens quite often. The name dates back to 1896.

This Wisconsin team is the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. According to their website, a Sky Carp is  "A slang term for a goose that does not migrate in the winter, instead preferring to stay in its home city, " 

The have the cutest little mascot!

There's our Fort Myers team coming in at number 12. You didn't honestly think I'd do this list if we weren't on it?

This is a weird one. Their mascots are "Big Mo", an orange beast that loves biscuits, and "Monty", an anthropomorphized buttermilk biscuit. The 'Butter and Blue' beat the Trash Pandas last night. We'll get to them, later.

Getting into the top 10, this team is all about the experience. Casinos and seafood. And baseball.

Lol. Yard Goat.

Their logo appears to be a distressed bolt. And their mascot - a big purple dinosaur. It doesn't have to make sense to be fun.

In to the top part of the list is the Space Cowboys. The Triple A affiliate of the Astros is based in Sugar Land Texas. And now that old song is stuck in my head.

Certainly an odd animal to name your team after. I do love that they have a Hawaiian Shirt Night.

Yes, they are named after radioactive material. But they do have great merch. And the name does indeed come from the Simpsons "Springfield Isotopes."

A fun name, and the 'rubber' part ties into their hometown of Akron. I get it!

According to their website, Rumble Ponies are a "fierce horse that no carousel can contain." K. It must be weird for the players trying to explain to their families. A what? They actually let the fans choose the name. 'Stud Muffins" came in second. 

A sod poodle is essentially a prairie dog. But sod poodle sounds a lot more fun. And it looks good on the uniform.

This Madison, Alabama team name is the one everyone has heard about. It takes the number one spot. Who wouldn't want to play for the Trash Pandas?

Thanks to Casino.org for their help on this list.