Heading into the top of the seventh inning, Florida found itself in an unusual position.
The Gators were losing 6-2 to Texas A&M, one of the few times this season UF has trailed an opponent late.
Florida had the teeth of its order slated to bat, and was able to load the bases.
A subsequent RBI-walk by Nicole DeWitt preceded a Janell Wheaton single up the middle that cut the lead to 6-4.
There were no outs.
UF appeared poised to tie the game or take the lead.
But it was too little, too late.
After an Aubree Munro infield fly and Chelsea Herndon groundout, sophomore Aleshia Ocasio hit a fly ball to left field, ending the comeback attempt as No. 1 Florida (47-4, 17-4 Southeastern Conference) lost to No. 18 Texas A&M (34-16, 7-14 SEC) 6-4 in the series finale on Sunday.
“We definitely had our opportunities,” coach Tim Walton said in a release.
“I think this goes back to our motto, if we’ve got an inning, out or strike left, than we still have a chance. I think our kids really fought hard to give us that chance.”
Normally solid, Florida’s pitching staff had an uncharacteristically shaky outing.
Freshman Kelly Barnhill lasted only two innings — the shortest start of her young career — and allowed two runs on two hits and four walks before being lifted in favor of Delanie Gourley.
It didn’t make much difference.
Gourley was not sharp either. The junior was tagged with her third loss after a big sixth inning in which the Aggies inflicted most of their damage.
After loading the bases, Texas A&M scored four runs once an error by Taylor Schwarz and wild pitch opened the door.
The six runs allowed are the most in a game this season for Florida.
Sitting on his 599th win as the Gators’ head coach, Tim Walton will have to wait until Wednesday for another shot at the imminent milestone, as Florida travels to Tallahassee to face rival Florida State at 5 p.m.
The game can be seen on ESPN3.
Tim Walton talks with Taylor Schwarz during Florida's doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville on Feb. 17, 2016, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
