Florida baseball continues to roll through the SEC tournament.
The Gators rectified their series loss to Alabama earlier in the season by run-ruling the Crimson Tide 13-3 in eight innings to advance to the SEC semifinals on Thursday, May 21.
UF (39-18) was dominant on both the mound and at the batter’s box against Alabama (37-19). The Gators totaled 16 hits, which included two home runs and six doubles, while the pitching staff recorded 14 strikeouts and one walk.
Liam Peterson delivered five innings, scattering seven hits, allowing one run, and striking out batters.
Florida’s offense took advantage of Peterson’s start as Brendan Lawson and Ethan Surowiec each hit solo home runs to take a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning.
The Gators then broke the game open with a five-run rally, with all of their runs scoring with two outs in the fifth inning. Hayden Yost and Kyle Jones each delivered back-to-back RBI hits. Blake Cyr then hit a 2-run triple before an infield error scored him to cap off the inning and extend the lead to 7-0.
Peterson’s lone mistake was an RBI sac fly, but he closed out the inning with a strikeout and registered a 100 mph fastball against the final batter he faced.
The Gators put the game away in the seventh inning after Surowiec and Caden McDonald hit back-to-back RBI doubles. Karson Bowen then drove in a run with a sac fly.
Alabama (37-19) didn’t fade away as the Tide kept the game alive with a 2-run home run with two outs from McDonald, who entered the game in relief.
However, the two-way star remedied his mistake on the mound with a 2-run double in the eighth inning.
Here’s what happened in Florida’s win over Alabama.
Alabama keeps game alive
The Crimson Tide hits a 2-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to narrow the score to 11-3.
Florida chasing run-rule win
The Gators put up four more runs in the seventh inning to take an 11-1 lead over Alabama. Ethan Surowiec and Caden McDonald hit back-to-back RBI doubles, while Karson Bowen drove in a run with a sac fly.
Alabama scratches a run
The Crimson Tide get on the board with an RBI sac fly in the bottom of the fifth inning. Liam Peterson’s outing is likely done as he recorded eight strikeouts, no walks, seven hits and one run. He notably logged a 100 mph fastball during the final batter he faced.
Florida’s rally continues
Blake Cyr hits a 2-run triple with two outs to extend UF’s lead. On the next at-bat, a fielding error scores Cyr as Florida pulls ahead with a 7-0 lead over Alabama.
Gators add more runs
In the fifth inning, Kyle Jones and Hayden Yost deliver back-to-back 2-out RBI hits to extend UF’s lead to 4-0. Fay’s outing is done as the Crimson Tide make a pitching change.
Gators add more runs
In the fifth inning, Kyle Jones and Hayden Yost deliver back-to-back 2-out RBI hits to extend UF’s lead to 4-0. Fay’s outing is done as the Crimson Tide make a pitching change.
Lawson and Surowiec homer
Brendan Lawson breaks the stalemate with a leadoff solo home run. Ethan Surowiec later hits a solo bomb to give Florida a 2-0 lead over Alabama in the fourth inning.
Pitching duel early on
Liam Peterson and Tyler Fay have yet to allow a run through three innings. Peterson has given up four hits, while Fay has given up one. The duo have a combined seven strikeouts and neither have issued a walk.
Florida baseball vs Alabama lineup
How to watch Florida baseball vs Alabama
Florida vs Alabama will be televised on the SEC Network. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. E.T.
However, the game will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Mississippi State vs Georgia game, which begins at 1 p.m. ET. So, the start time could be later, depending on how long MSU-UGA goes.
Stream Florida baseball vs Alabama
Florida baseball vs Alabama projected starting pitchers
RHP Liam Peterson (2-5, 4.00 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Fay (9-3, 4.43 ERA)
Florida baseball upcoming schedule
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Red hot Florida baseball run-rules Alabama to advance in SEC tournament
Reporting by Andrew Abadie, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
