Kent State's Jason Bagoly overcame personal loss to turn in a huge performance Monday in the Golden Flashes' upset win of Florida at the College World Series.

Bagoly, a backup catcher, learned on Thursday -- one day after the team arrived in Ohama -- that his mother had passed away.

Fox Sports Ohio's Zac Johnson detailed Bagoly's personal story in this article, which ran Tuesday.

Kent State coach Scott Stricklin is quoted saying:

"I just knew how tough [Bagoly] is," Stricklin said. "I knew he'd respond. I asked him how he felt, and he said he felt good. I brought him and (usual designated hitter) Nick Hamilton both in my office before the game and told them [Bagoly would start]. Nick handled it great, and then Jason and I talked.

"He said he was feeling good. He gave me a hug, then he went out there and had the best game of his career."

Bagly finished the Monday's game 2-3 with a sacrifice bunt and a run.

Yahoo.com also had a story on Bagoly.