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Up 2-1 entering the bottom of the third inning, Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower gave up two walks before her throwing error allowed the tying run to score.

Hightower surrendered another unearned run before Alabama scored an insurance run in the fourth en route to a 4-2 victory Sunday.

After it clinched its fifth straight SEC series to begin the season Saturday, No. 5 Florida fell shy of sweeping No. 3 Alabama for the first time ever.

The Crimson Tide jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after leadoff singles sparked a RBI groundout. The Gators faced Alabama right-hander Montana Fouts — who went the distance for the second time this weekend — and managed only four hits in 24 at-bats (.167).

Florida scored its only two runs after a pair of walks in the top of the third led to catcher Julia Cottrill’s two-out, two-run single through the right side. After she blew the lead, Fouts yielded only one baserunner though the final four frames and struck out the side in the top of the seventh.

Final (R/H/E)

No. 5 Florida: 2 / 4 / 3

No. 3 Alabama: 4 / 4 / 0

Pitching Decision

Win: Hightower (15-3)

Loss: Fouts (14-3)

Individual Stats (season totals)

Hightower: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (1.34 ERA)

Chronister: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (2.14 ERA)

1. Adams: 1-3 (.405 BA)
2. Lindsey: 0-3 (.345 BA)
3. Echols: 1-3, 1 R (.376 BA)
4. Lindaman: 1-2, 1 BB (.333 BA)
5. Cottrill: 1-2, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB (.288 BA)
6. Wilkie: 0-3 (.232 BA)
7. A. Goelz: 0-2 (.255 BA)
8. Longley: 1-3 (.143 BA)
9. Goddard: 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB (.191 BA)

Next Up

The Gators will return to the Sunshine State for a non-conference game against FCGU Wednesday at 5 p.m.