HOOVER, Ala. – The pie has soured for Brian Johnson.
About three weeks after receiving the traditional cream-filled dessert to the face in celebration of a dominating effort against LSU (37-20), the UF pitcher lasted just 3.2 horrific innings in Wednesday’s rematch.
Johnson, who hit a grand slam and allowed two earned runs in 6.1 frames on May 2, was pulled after surrendering seven runs on nine hits as No. 4 Florida (40-14) fell to LSU 10-6 in the opening round of the SEC Tournament in Regions Park Stadium.
UF will play an elimination game against No. 15 Arkansas (40-17) today 30 minutes after the matchup between Auburn and South Carolina.
“(The Tigers) swung the bat real well,” Johnson said. “They were aggressive. I just fell behind a little bit and didn’t have my stuff.”
Johnson’s outing went south in the second when LSU designated hitter Matt Gaudet hit a lead-off homer. The next five LSU batters reached base, including an RBI single by No. 9 hitter Mason Katz.
Johnson struggled with his command, walking three in the inning, but UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan kept Johnson in until the fourth inning. The southpaw was finally pulled after giving up a double and single to sophomore Tyler Hanover and first baseman Blake Dean, who both scored later in the inning.
Unlike Johnson, LSU ace Anthony Ranaudo redeemed a nightmare outing against Florida on April 30, when the Gators chased the right hander after two innings. Ranaudo, a projected top-10 pick in the MLB Draft before the season, recorded five strike outs while throwing a season-high 7.2 innings on Wednesday.
“You got to tip your cap to him,” UF center fielder Matt den Dekker said. “He battled and gave them a great chance to win.”
If the Gators can take anything positive from Wednesday’s game, it is there effort in the eighth inning. Den Dekker led off the frame with his 12th long ball of the season. Freshman Austin Maddox then singled and right fielder Daniel Piggot drew a walk to force Ranaudo out of the contest.
Both base runners scored later in the frame, cutting LSU’s lead to 9-6. But the Tigers added an insurance run in the ninth and reliever Paul Bertuccini closed the door on the Gators in the ninth.
Seven Gators recorded a hit on Wednesday, led by Den Dekker, who drove in three runs with his homer and a fifth-inning double. And, despite his struggles on the mound, Johnson went 3 for 4 from the plate.
But UF was still outhit 19-11.
After clinching the regular-season title last weekend against South Carolina, Florida appeared to suffer from a hangover Wednesday. Maddox spoiled a potential rally in the fourth by over-running third base, and even the shore-handed Nolan Fontana committed his third error of the season.
“They were really flat,” O’Sullivan said of his team. “I could tell before we stretched. I understand what we accomplished in the regular season, but it’s a separate season. We can’t just turn it on and turn it off. We talked about that. We can’t just go through the motions this weekend then next weekend go ahead and turn it on full speed.”
