Designated hitter Jac Caglianone and outfielder Wyatt Langford were both named to the SEC All-Tournament Team.
Hoover, Ala. – Florida was defeated by No. 1 Tennessee by a final score of 8-5 in the 2022 SEC Tournament Championship game at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With the week in Hoover now in the rearview, Florida awaits its NCAA Tournament fate in the 2022 selection show scheduled for Monday, May 30 at 12 p.m. ET. NCAA Regional host sites will be selected at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight.
The Gators (39-22, 15-15 SEC) and Volunteers (53-7, 25-5 SEC) exchanged zeros across the first four innings, as starting pitchers Carsten Finnvold<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15124&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=rVtPJhtPOSW9XLk6qYB8ACZS1aXNTbKBnTP4QA3qkoo&e= > and Camden Sewell fired scoreless frames. Finnvold allowed just one hit through the first four innings.
Tennessee broke through in the fifth with four runs. Seth Stephenson drove in Evan Russell with a bunt single, followed by a three-run double to left field off the bat of Drew Gilbert.
After surrendering four unearned runs, Finnvold was lifted in favor of right-hander Blake Purnell<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15103&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=IlwN4XU0JCihk7VUIrkAVV6zvXaiGtvYDpGyVr5fKN4&e= > in the fifth. Purnell quickly induced a groundout to shortstop Josh Rivera<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15104&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=P1gOp9KeoKDkpGXjvZC5xaOSsC1NPaDreCdNen9_Dj0&e= > to bring an end to the rally.
Tennessee plated three more runs in the sixth. Stephenson doubled home Joel Ortega, while Luc Lipcius connected for a two-run double to right center to extend the Tennessee lead to 7-0.
Florida got on the board in the bottom of the eighth. After a walk by Sterlin Thompson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15108&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=VmMarOOouBl-N63Kd2bjmJPEJsTs-4IB5Mu14pCE1Ic&e= >, BT Riopelle<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15114&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=EFpFloAuyUutdpv56Zido1EmmfVezaDTQTNDzm5RN70&e= > unloaded on a 101 mile-per-hour fastball from reliever Ben Joyce for a two-run home run to left-center field. Rivera tacked on an RBI single to left field to score Ty Evans<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15111&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=ObphO5HxTBJS845kaI3pUakth0fvwMSDMnFH2PY4AMg&e= >, cutting the Tennessee lead to 7-3.
Tennessee added a late run in the ninth, with Gilbert homering to right field. The Gators responded in the bottom of the ninth, as Wyatt Langford<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15097&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=EUAYY-uRN7Zs8Vr6Vd5G0tIsPnUawaYiaVl4ebJB5zU&e= > picked up his third hit of the day with a double to left center. Thompson made it back-to-back doubles, sending another ball into left center to bring home Langford. Evans then brought in Thompson, reaching on a fielding error at second base to bring the score to its final tally of 8-5.
Finnvold (1-1) received the loss, pitching a career-high 4 2/3 innings with four runs allowed (zero earned) on four hits and three walks. The freshman also struck out a career-high six batters.
Tennessee starting pitcher Camden Sewell (7-1) earned the victory, tossing five shutout innings with six hits allowed and one strikeout.
Jac Caglianone<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15113&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=TnacidEB316W9KcCRMtVJFGlHMknMdIGDvO42bhwiRM&e= > and Langford were both named to the 2022 SEC All-Tournament Team. Langford batted .391 (9-for-23) with two home runs, two doubles, seven runs and five RBI. Caglianone hit .364 with one homer, two doubles, six RBI and four runs scored.
2022 SEC All-Tournament Team
P: Chase Dollander, Tennessee
P: Sean Harney, Kentucky
C: Devin Burkes, Kentucky
DH: Jac Caglianone<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15113&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=TnacidEB316W9KcCRMtVJFGlHMknMdIGDvO42bhwiRM&e= >, Florida
1B: Jack Moss, Texas A&M
2B: Daniel Harris IV, Kentucky
3B: Trey Lipscomb, Tennessee
SS: Ryan Ritter, Kentucky
OF: Drew Gilbert, Tennessee
OF: Wyatt Langford<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15097&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=EUAYY-uRN7Zs8Vr6Vd5G0tIsPnUawaYiaVl4ebJB5zU&e= >, Florida
OF: Caden Rose, Alabama
Most Valuable Player: Drew Gilbert, Tennessee
NOTABLES
* Finnvold made his first-career start, blanking the Vols through the first four innings (career high) while striking out a career-high six batters.
* Riopelle’s eighth-inning homer marked his 15th of the season.
* Florida advanced to its 15th SEC Tournament Championship game this weekend.
* The Gators have won the SEC Tournament title seven times (1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1991, 2011, 2015).
* Florida is now 154-94 all-time against Tennessee.
* Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1445&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=9CbBVH_M6CUg8Z4NoymC8J24w7OvX2vto_o8uRgUfXUcFW2BQt8HqoRE_EV-BABj&s=f5voHWrW2Ul2z6pYOWU2pNVS2TLBEk4P1y4dmP7fgSc&e= > is 24-20 vs. Tennessee.
* Florida fell to 75-68 all-time at the SEC Tournament.
* The Gators are 7-3 in Hoover across the last two seasons.
* Florida has won 14 of its last 18 games and 16 of its last 21.
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O’SULLIVAN
On the outcome of the title game…
“Well, first of all, congratulate Tennessee. They’ve had a remarkable season. They’re the No. 1 team in the country for a reason. Obviously today was a tough one for us. I thought we battled the entire week. We were one hitter away from getting the tying run to the plate. I thought Carsten threw the ball great today. We got to that one inning where we had bases loaded and got the 0-2 count and just left one ball out over the plate, but he was really good. I thought our pitching the entire week was outstanding. I thought we swung the bats great. I like where we are right now as a team, and I’m looking forward to playing next weekend.”
On Finnvold’s outing…
“You know, I mean, he’s a different look, and obviously you run across pitchers like him, you don’t see guys like him a lot. I thought he pitched great. I thought he pitched to both sides of the plate with his fastball. His changeup he used against right-handers and left-handers. He stole some strikes early in the count with his breaking ball. And he battled. He had a runner at third with nobody out and got two pop-ups to the infield, and made an awful lot of big pitches when he needed to. He did exactly what he needed to do to give us a chance to win today.”
On Florida’s case to host an NCAA Regional…
“Well, I mean, that’s for the committee to decide, but I do like the way we’re playing. Do I think we’re one of the top 16 teams in the country? Absolutely. But that’s something we can’t control. But I like our team. I really like our team. I think we’re playing our best baseball. We have been for a while now. I think a run like this in the tournament should certainly help us moving forward.”
UP NEXT
Florida awaits its NCAA Tournament fate in the 2022 selection show scheduled for Monday, May 30 at 12 p.m. ET. NCAA Regional host sites will be selected at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight.
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