Gators end Sun Devils’ run

OMAHA, Neb. – Florida got a power boost after a fan interfered with a foul ball. And now the Gators are headed to the championship round of the College World Series.

Brian Leclerc, Adam Davis and Matt LaPorta homered as Florida rallied from an early 3-0 deficit and beat Arizona State 6-3 Thursday night, ending the Sun Devils’ dazzling run.

Florida (48-21) moves to the best-of-3 final round beginning Saturday against Texas. The Gators will be seeking their first CWS title in their fifth appearance.

Arizona State (42-25) had won three straight elimination games after losing its CWS opener, including a 6-1 win over Florida on Wednesday.

But the Sun Devils’ magic finally expired. Arizona had two on with one out in the top of the ninth before Florida reliever Tommy Boss retired the final two batters.

In the fourth inning, home plate umpire Bill Davis called Florida’s Brandon McArthur out after a fan reached for the foul ball near the screen, preventing Sun Devils catcher Tuffy Gosewisch from catching it.

Davis’ ruling prompted a heated argument from Florida coach Pat McMahon. The umpires conferred, but the call stood and it seemed to spark the Gators.