GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alabama baseball split a doubleheader with the second-ranked Florida Gators on Friday at Condron Family Ballpark. With the split, the Crimson Tide is now 17-4 on the season and 1-2 in Southeastern Conference play.
Florida was able to mount a late comeback for an 8-7 walkoff win in game one. That victory secured the series for the Gators. Alabama did not lay down, however, earning a 6-3 win in the finale.
“I was incredibly proud of our team. Both starters today – and really all three of our starters this weekend – gave us a chance to get a win. We also pitched well out of the bullpen. The park played really offensive today in the first game and they took more advantage of the wind howling out than we did. To get walked off is a tough one, but then to come out and score three against one of the best pitchers in the country, I think that says a lot about our club.”
GAME ONE
Alabama fell, 8-7, in game one. The two teams traded runs all afternoon with the Tide jumping out front early thanks to a three-run first. Florida then used the wind to its advantage as a high fly ball caught the wind and sailed over the wall in right to tie things up after one full.
The Tide crossed one apiece in the second and fifth to make it a 5-3 ballgame, but UF evened things up with one in the fifth and one in the sixth. Alabama moved back in front with a run in the seventh and was matched again with a single Gator tally. The Tide regained the lead again in the top of the eighth thanks to a Colby Shelton home run but a two-run ninth helped Florida walk it off.
Alabama’s offense was led by Drew Williamson. The graduate finished 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, five RBI and one run scored. Shelton also added a home run as part of his 1-for-3 day that included an RBI, one run scored and a hit-by-pitch. Philip Abner (1-0) picked up the win while Riley Quick (0-1) suffered the loss.
How It Happened
- T1 | Jim Jarvis led things off with a walk before a Will Hodo single put two on. Drew Williamson came to the plate one out later, sending a ball over the wall in left-center for a three-run home run. (3-0, Alabama)
- B1 | BT Riopelle hit a high fly ball…
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