The Gators return home having claimed their first SEC series of the season while hitting the program’s most home runs (10) in a series since 2002, led by Wyatt Langford, who homered for the third time on Sunday across the three-game set.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 9 Florida dropped Sunday’s series finale at Alabama, 8-7, in a back-and-forth affair that featured three lead changes.
Despite falling in game three at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, the Gators (15-5, 2-1 SEC) return to Gainesville with a Southeastern Conference series victory, having won two-of-three games in Tuscaloosa. The Orange & Blue also swatted their most home runs in a series in the last 20 seasons with 10.
Florida pounced on the Crimson Tide (13-8, 1-2 SEC) in the opening frame, using back-to-back two-out doubles 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=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=W8bRF-v3O3L0Dqfdddy8Q5pUsUY5rrRkTS3z0NSp5Ak&e= > and 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=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=Pbx1_5r1fGMKB23UUUdr-bztPNXR7kZO3lGvshzU5rY&e= > to put the first digit on the scoreboard. 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=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=6jTdoPnDwl50Q3gvB8GQJ2OrgOk0L1Vr9lN4UHy_RxM&e= > followed with a groundball to first base, as an error by Drew Williamson allowed Langford to score to make it 2-0 in favor of Florida.
Starting pitcher Timmy Manning<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15098&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=fe8SveUjONolWTRw9v144BomlGDTxDSCJ2XsZMz0iqE&e= > needed just seven pitches to work a clean first inning, but ran into trouble in the second. That prompted the Gators to call on right-hander Brandon Neely<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15118&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=5q7rGeQ8ADgEHXBTVZf3vD9FQLdXoEeQ5i-Y8sGYXIg&e= >, who recorded a pair of quick outs, but not before the Tide evened the game up at two runs apiece.
In the top of the fourth, Florida and Alabama traded a pair of runs to keep the game knotted at four. Thompson and Langford struck again for back-to-back home runs, with Thompson hitting a frozen rope over the right-field wall before Langford sent one over the left-field fence and onto the street. The Tide jumped right back into it in the bottom half thanks to a two-run shot by Owen Diodati.
Alabama took their first lead of the day in the fifth. Bryce Eblin led off with a double to left field, although Neely nearly worked out of it by retiring Jim Jarvis and Dominic Tamez in order. With two outs, Zane Denton brought in a run, reaching on a single to shortstop with Eblin scoring on a subsequent throwing error by 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=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=oN8GCVbgl9J-QqSudM0ahLNK9YrcidqeDrmUk7j883U&e= >.
The Gators and Crimson Tide traded zeros in the sixth and seventh, but the Orange & Blue came roading back in the eighth. Following a leadoff walk by Colby Halter<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15096&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=6UZh-o1od7o_1ePi3zeBE8TbK12ZmXdm0sV3uY3sW1A&e= >, Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15127&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=h5dAST0XuABkSWaZyPT_Dcx0VVYyofJsxZAj_UL43v0&e= > stepped up and delivered, popping a clutch, two-run homer into the netting in left field. Langford then reached on an infield single to third and stole second base, allowing Kendrick Calilao<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15092&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=XcCdadGyFgrCkFZNCpTvZ2HL-eA3U6B8JEnCoT4y3fQ&e= > to add some much-needed insurance in the form of an RBI single through the right side.
With Florida on top, 7-5, heading into the bottom of the eighth, Denton of Alabama reduced the deficit to one with a leadoff homer to left. As a result, the Gators turned to right-handed reliever Nick Ficarrotta<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15094&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=6MWZSGfL1OpOLyOO7hOjSXePH5pYg1GLsZZbagnb0kk&e= >, who retired each of the three batters he faced in order to send the game into the ninth.
From there, things slipped away from the Gators. Jarvis tied up the game with a bunt single to pitcher 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=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=8djqUmMyDTfAyEkYT6qrlUbAY_0AJjlKIL71q1IVh8s&e= >, advancing the winning run to third base. Florida installed the five-man infield in an attempt to send the game to extras, but Denton found a hole through the right side as Alabama walked it off, 8-7.
Purnell (2-1) received his first loss of the season, allowing two runs on four hits. Crimson Tide reliever Jacob McNairy (4-0) earned the victory. The right-hander pitched 1.2 innings to finish the game with one earned run allowed on three hits while striking out one.
Manning went 1.1 innings in Sunday’s start, allowing one earned run on zero hits and three walks. Alabama starting pitcher Grayson Hitt lasted five innings, surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out four.
Thompson (2-for-4), Langford (3-for-4), Calilao (2-for-4) and Rivera (2-for-4) collected multiple hits in the finale.
NOTABLES
* Langford went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs scored and two RBI.
* Across the three-game series, Langford batted .500/.533/1.214 (7-for-14) with three home runs, one double, 17 total bases, seven runs, six RBI and two steals.
* Langford leads the Gators in all three slash categories, as well as hits (30), total bases (59) runs (22) and steals (four).
* The Trenton, Fla. native is tied with J. Fabian for the team high in home runs (eight) and RBI (23).
* Florida lost its first game of the season (10-1) when scoring in the first inning.
* Florida is now 66-58 all-time vs. Alabama including a 25-31 mark in Tuscaloosa.
* The Gators saw their program-best 12-game winning streak against the Tide come to an end on Sunday.
* Florida is 25-6 overall and 11-4 on the road vs. Alabama under 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=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=UkPCnONJkcfYn9sIYyIKgUriBQD9v9xKTYf06VQq4_k&e= >.
* The Gators have won 14 of their last 17 games overall.
* Calilao extended his team-leading hitting streak to 10 games.
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O’SULLIVAN
On the loss…
“The bottom line is we didn’t play well enough to win. It’s really that simple. I think they scored the first four runs on one hit. We didn’t get a very good start, obviously. Felt really good, we scored two in the first and had a quick first. Then, we lost the strike zone in the second. I thought Brandon [Neely] came in and did a good job in a tough situation with bases loaded there. We made two throws in the infield we probably shouldn’t have made which cost a couple of runs. The bottom line is we didn’t pitch well enough, we certainly hit well enough all weekend. Too many mistakes today.”
On the ninth inning shift…
“We tried to do the five-man infield there at the end. We have practiced it, but that’s my fault. We need to make sure we go over it on the road on Thursday nights before we play on the road because that’s the only time we can do it, which is on the road. We have practiced it, but that ball is on me.”
On 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=CItxIbWA-GzuXioIcyYKttsrQEgYZEtgQ28TWdtLsIxmYaHDdbiN7KESPYU1hML1&s=8djqUmMyDTfAyEkYT6qrlUbAY_0AJjlKIL71q1IVh8s&e= >…
“Blake has been great all year for us. I’m not going to put this on him. That’s part of being the guy that pitches at the end of the game. There’s a lot of things that happen up until the ninth inning that puts you in that position. The hit by pitch. The bunt by Jarvis is probably going to roll foul. Even if it doesn’t, if it stays fair there is nothing you can do. It’s going to be a hit anyways, so we probably should have let that ball go foul. It’s a learning experience, but Blake has been great all year. This does not fall on him.”
UP NEXT
Florida returns home to host Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ before rival LSU comes to town for a three-game weekend series. Game one vs. the Tigers will air on SEC Network on Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m. while the remaining two games will stream on SEC Network+ on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.).
