Trailing 5-0 following the third inning, Florida baseball needed arguably its most resilient effort of the 2025 season thus far.
Despite injuries to two key starters and its five-run deficit, the Gators stormed back, ultimately outscoring Alabama 6-1 in the final five innings.
Junior catcher Brody Donay hit the go-ahead home run that propelled the No. 23 Florida Gators (36-18, 14-14 SEC) to take the series opener over the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide (39-14, 15-13) 7-6.
“I’m awfully proud of the team and the way they battled,” Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “They could have easily just thrown in the towel.”
The Crimson Tide drew first blood in the first inning, as junior catcher Richie Bonomolo Jr. hit a two-run homer to left field, making it a quick 2-0 Alabama advantage.
The first inning nightmare continued for the Gators as junior catcher Luke Heyman exited the game after being hit on the wrist by a pitch. Donay replaced him and sophomore infielder Landon Stripling took the first base assignment.
O’Sullivan confirmed that Heyman’s injury was a bone fracture, a blow to the Gators’ lineup.
“He’s had an unbelievable season so far,” said Donay. “Not many people can do what he did. He’s an awesome player to watch and an awesome teammate to have on your team.”
Alabama tacked on three runs in the third frame. Sophomore shortstop Justin Lebron hit a two-run homer himself to make it a 4-0 ballgame.
Then, with runners on first and second, junior third baseman Jason Torres singled to left field, scoring Bonomolo Jr. making it a 5-0 advantage.
The injury bug struck again in the fourth for the Gators. After a double-play from UF, junior second baseman Justin Nadeau left the game with an apparent hand injury.
Fortunately for UF, Nadeau’s injury was just a ripped nail, and O’Sullivan said that he should be good to go for the next game.
Junior infielder Blake Cyr took over at second base, as sophomore outfielder Blake Brookins took left field for the first time this season.
The Gators didn’t get on the scoreboard until the fourth inning when Stripling scored from third after a wild pitch.
Down four runs, Florida began to turn the tide in the fifth frame.
With runners on first and third, Stripling singled through the right side, scoring senior shortstop Bobby Boser.
Senior designated hitter Ty Evans followed that up with an RBI double, allowing freshman third baseman Brendan Lawson to score and cut the lead to 5-3.
Down two runs with runners on first and second, Donay singled down the left field line as Stripling scored for the second time.
The Gators had bases loaded and had a chance to take the lead, but sophomore center fielder Hayden Yost struck out.
Alabama scored again in the sixth to widen the gap. Sophomore catcher Will Plattner reached on a throwing error to first base, and senior first baseman Will Hodo scored to make it a 6-4 lead.
But, Florida had yet another response.
Brookins doubled down the left field line. Then, Boser singled to center field, scoring Brookins and making it a one-run game once again.
Evans said he got “goosebumps” when he saw Brookins’ hit.
“I’ve never seen that kid so happy in my entire life,” Evans said.
Down 6-5 in the seventh frame, up came Donay to the plate.
He hit a two-run home run, the first for Florida all game, giving the Gators their first lead of the night at 7-6.
Sophomore right-hander Liam Peterson got the start on the mound for the Gators. He lasted until the sixth inning, as he was relieved by sophomore right-hander Luke McNeillie.
It was a rough start for Peterson, as he allowed five runs in the first three innings.
But, O’Sullivan kept faith in his ace despite his early struggles.
“I’ve got no complaints about his start,” O’Sullivan said. “He battled and he kept us in it.”
Peterson responded with two groundouts, one of which was a double play in the fourth frame. He proceeded to strike out three straight batters in the fifth inning.
McNeillie performed valiantly. He earned the win, recording four strikeouts.
His seventh inning performance was one his best of the season thus far. He recorded a strikeout, followed by a flyout and ground out to complete his efficient inning.
Florida’s closer, sophomore right-hander Jake Clemente, came in for McNeillie in the eighth inning.
Once again, he effectively shut down the game for Florida, earning his fifth save of the season and securing the one run win.
“We’ve just had a knack for coming back,” Evans said. “I don’t think we ever feel like we’re ever out of the game.”
Clemente recorded two strikeouts and three flyouts in his stint. His move to closer has proved to be an effective adjustment for O’Sullivan and the Gators.
For Alabama, sophomore right-hander Tyler Fay earned the start. In 4.2 innings pitched he recorded four strikeouts, five flyouts and four groundouts.
He surrendered Boser’s run before being relieved in the fifth for senior right-hander Braylon Myers.
Myers did not last long. After two Florida runs in the fifth frame, he was promptly replaced by sophomore left-hander Matthew Heiberger.
Heiberger surrendered two runs and recorded an error before junior right-hander JT Blackwood subbed in during the seventh frame.
Blackwood struggled, allowing two walks and the lead-taking home run by Donay.
After starting off 1-11 in SEC play, the Gators find themselves even at 14-14 heading into the next game in the series with a chance to have an above .500 conference record for the first time this season.
“Going through that adversity is probably helping us right now,” O’Sullivan said.
Game two will take place Friday at Condron Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04
Adrian Carmona is a third-year journalism major and the Summer 2025 baseball reporter. In his spare time, he enjoys completing Sporcle quizzes and ranting about Miami sports.
