Despite a four-run ninth inning, The No. 23 Florida Gators could not replicate their game one comeback magic on Friday.
The Gators (36-19, 14-15) surrendered five runs in the fifth inning, as the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide (40-14, 16-14) evened the series with a 9-6 victory in game two.
Contrary to game one, it was Florida that kicked off the scoring in the first frame.
After freshman third baseman Brendan Lawson stole second, junior catcher Brody Donay singled to center field, scoring Lawson.
The Gators tacked on another run in the second. Sophomore first baseman Landon Stripling kicked it off with a single to center field. Sophomore designated hitter Blake Brookins, in his first start in the lineup, doubled to left field, sending Stripling to third.
Senior shortstop Bobby Boser proceeded to single to center field, scoring Stripling to make it a 2-0 ballgame.
However, Alabama quickly responded in the third inning.
With runners on second and third, sophomore shortstop Justin Lebron flied out to center field, but senior designated hitter Garrett Staton scored the first run for the Crimson Tide.
Senior infielder Kade Snell then singled to right field, scoring senior second baseman Brennen Norton to tie the game at two runs apiece.
Later in the fifth inning, Alabama took the lead. With bases loaded after three walked batters, junior center fielder Richie Bonomolo Jr. singled to center field, scoring two runners to make it a 4-2 advantage.
With another walk, the Crimson Tide once again loaded the bases, and junior catcher Brady Neal took advantage. He doubled to left-center field, scoring three Crimson Tide runners and extending the lead to five runs.
“We tried to get the bullpen hot as quick as we could,” Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “It just happened so quickly.”
Alabama scored two more runs in the ninth for insurance. Bonomolo Jr. flied out to right field as Lebron trotted to home plate, marking the biggest lead for either team this series. Senior first baseman Will Hodo then homered to left field, extending the Crimson Tide lead to seven.
But, Florida refused to lay down in the ninth.
With bases loaded, Boser doubled down the left field line, scoring sophomore centerfielder Hayden Yost and junior infielder Ashton Wilson to cut Alabama’s lead to five runs.
Florida scored again, as Stripling found home plate off of freshman first baseman Brendan Lawson’s flyout. Senior right fielder Ty Evans then singled, scoring boser to make it a three-run game.
But, the comeback attempt was stifled after Donay flew out to first base.
“Even if we hadn’t scored those four runs, at least our guys have seen them now,” O’Sullivan said. “Their eyes will be adjusted.”
Junior left-handed pitcher Pierce Coppola took the mound first for Florida. It was his first start at Condron Ballpark since March.
He set the tone early with six strikeouts in the first two innings.
“I forgot what my walk up song was to be honest,” Coppola said. “To just pitch in front of our fans was real fun.”
Coppola performed valiantly despite two earned runs in the third frame. He finished with an even ten strikeouts before being relieved for junior right-hander Billy Barlow in the fourth.
Barlow didn’t last a full inning. After surrendering three straight walks in the fifth frame, freshman right-hander Christian Rodriguez took the mound.
Rodriguez retired two batters and allowed two runs before being taken out in favor of freshman right-hander Blaine Rowland.
Rowland was relieved for freshman right-hander Caden McDonald, who finished the game for the Gators. He surrendered two hits and two runs in one inning of play.
For Alabama, sophomore right-hander Riley Quick got the job done as the starting pitcher. Despite allowing two runs, he was able to bounce back, pitching two straight scoreless innings.
Quick finished with seven strikeouts before senior right-hander Braylon Myers took his place in the sixth inning.
Myers pitched two scoreless innings to go along with three strikeouts. Senior right-hander Carson Ozmer took the mound for Myers in the eighth, and he did just enough to secure the victory. Despite allowing four runs in the ninth, he recorded two strikeouts and three fly-outs to hold off Florida’s late comeback.
“Whoever wins the game tomorrow is going to have an upper hand of potentially maybe hosting,” said O’Sullivan. “So it’s a big game for us.”
The series will be decided on Saturday evening, as the Gators look to secure the final matchup of the regular season. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. ET.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04
