Though the first-inning collision between Florida’s Brendan Lawson and Ethan Surowiec didn’t directly cost a run, it foreshadowed a night the Gators couldn’t recover from; a night of history dominated by Alabama pitcher Tyler Fay.
The junior right-hander delivered a historic performance, throwing a nine-inning solo no-hitter, the program’s first since April 24, 1942, as Florida’s offense never found its footing.
Florida (19-4, 3-1 SEC) could not find its spark and fell 6-0 to Alabama (16-7, 1-3 SEC), losing its first road game of Southeastern Conference play.
With the first inning consisting of one strikeout on both sides, a laser ball to pick off a stolen runner and a few hits, the ball game soon picked up pace.
Alabama wrapped up the second inning with a single from catcher John Lemm, followed by junior Will Plattner’s double and a single from infielder Justin Osterhouse, which scored the first run.
After a 13-minute game delay due to a padded wall malfunction, junior pitcher and ace Liam Peterson gave up another run to the sacrifice bunt from sophomore Jake Vaugn that pulled Plattner in.
The third inning was a quick three-and-out for both sides.
UF could only put up three baserunners, two walks and a fielder's choice. Florida’s ace had a harsh day as he amounted to just four K’s, a career high six runs allowed and nine hits. The same could not be said for Fay as he dominated his 132 pitches with 13 strikeouts.
Alabama broke through in the fourth inning, stringing together timely hits to take control. After a leadoff walk and a double to right center put runners in scoring position, the Crimson Tide capitalized with a series of RBI plays. A groundout brought in the first run, followed by an RBI single up the middle and another run-scoring double to left center. Alabama capped the inning with a bunt single that plated its fourth run, turning a tight game into an early deficit for Florida.
The Gators could not get things going in the batter's box as they made insufficient contact with the baseball. They racked up two groundouts and a flyout to center field. Peterson sat the Tide down in order with two groundouts and struck out Osterhouse chasing to close out the fifth inning.
Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan made some changes at the bottom of the sixth inning: Peterson handed the baton to sophomore reliever Cade McDonald, and freshman Jacob Kendall replaced junior Hayden Yost in left field; senior Blake Cyr moved to right field, while sophomore Kyle Jones remained in center.
McDonald didn’t slip up as he struck one out and pitched two lineouts.
But while the defense finally remained steady, the offense didn't change. It struck out twice, and senior Karson Bowen flew out to center field.
Despite throwing only 23 pitches, McDonald was pulled, and sophomore pitcher McCall Biemiller made his season debut, called upon to tighten up the mound.
Action picked up as Lemm was walked, Plattner reached first on a throwing error and Osterhouse was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with just one out remaining.
O’Sullivan made another pitching change as he brought out freshman pitcher Eli Blair, who successfully forced a pop-up and extinguished a possible nightmare scenario for the Gators.
Fay snapped the Gators’ six-game win streak and set an early dominance for the series.
Florida looks to get its revenge at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Contact Ethan Feinberg at efeinberg@alligator.org. Follow him on X @thefeinline.
Ethan Feinberg is a senior sports journalism student and the Spring 2026 men’s tennis reporter. He has previously written stories and produced audio sessions for WRUF, covering high school football. Ethan enjoys watching and playing sports like football and basketball, working out, fishing, cooking, and having a good laugh with his friends and family. His favorite sports teams are the New England Patriots, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, and the Miami Marlins. (Drake "Drake Maye" Maye is the GOAT.)
