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Gators lumber up, hammer Cavaliers to force CWS elimination game

Florida shortstop Richie Martin (12) throws to first base for a double play after forcing out Virgina's Adam Haseley, in the fifth inning of an NCAA College World Series baseball game at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., Friday, June 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike Theiler) (Mike Theiler/AP)

OMAHA — As Virginia baseball Coach Brian O’Connor considered his choice of starting pitcher against Florida on Friday, two thoughts stood out.

The first was the Cavaliers were playing to win the College World Series — not just to make the final. The second was left-hander Connor Jones would not pitch three times in Omaha.