As the ball left his bat and sailed through the humid Gainesville sky Monday night, Austin Langworthy felt optimistic.
In the 11th inning of a tense Game 3 of the Gainesville Super Regional against Auburn, a game that would decide which team advanced to the College World Series and which team would see its season end right there, Langworthy watched the ball whiz toward right-center field.
Auburn right fielder Steven Williams was in position to make the grab — and rob Langworthy of a hit for the third time that night — but sunk to the ground as the ball bounced off his glove and past the fence.