Florida Baseball Falls to Alabama 8-4, SEC Streak Snapped

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 18 Florida Gators suffered an 8-4 defeat at the hands of Alabama on Saturday afternoon, marking the end of their seven-game Southeastern Conference series win streak. The Crimson Tide leveled the series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, capitalizing on early momentum and a strong performance from starter Zane Adams.

Alabama opened the scoring in the first inning, taking a 1-0 lead after Justin Lebron walked and later scored on an RBI bunt. Florida responded immediately in the top of the second, with Karson Bowen hitting a solo home run to tie the game.

The Gators took their first lead of the series in the third inning. Cade Kurland singled, followed by a walk from Kyle Jones, and Blake Cyr drove in Kurland with a single to right field, making it 2-1 in favor of Florida.

Alabama quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the third. Brennan Holt scored on a single by Brady Neal, and Jason Torres drove in Bryce Fowler with his second RBI bunt of the game, putting the Crimson Tide ahead 3-2.

Alabama extended their advantage in the fifth inning with an RBI single from Neal, increasing the lead to 4-2. The Crimson Tide further padded their lead in the seventh, as Lebron hit a two-run home run to left, pushing the score to 6-2. Alabama added two more runs in the eighth on an RBI double by Holt and a run-scoring groundout by Neal, making it 8-2.

Florida attempted a late rally in the ninth inning. Ethan Surowiec scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Jones, and Blake Cyr added an RBI double to left, cutting the deficit to 8-4. However, the comeback effort fell short, leaving two runners on base as the game concluded.

Zane Adams earned the win for Alabama, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on five hits. Florida’s Aidan King took the loss, allowing four earned runs in five innings – the first earned runs he’d surrendered in 23 2/3 innings pitched this season. King, who entered the game as the only qualified NCAA Division I pitcher with a 0.00 ERA, too walked four batters.

Blake Cyr and Ethan Surowiec each recorded two hits for the Gators, with Cyr driving in two runs.

Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan noted King’s lack of command as a key factor in the loss, stating, “He didn’t have his usual command. I think he started the season with 23 1/3 (unearned runs). Uncharacteristically, he walked four over five, and all four of them scored. It was just one of those days that he doesn’t have very often, but today was one of those days, unfortunately.”

The Gators and Crimson Tide will play the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, broadcast on SEC Network.