SB: Gators Defeat Crimson Tide to Avoid Series Sweep

After dropping the first two games of the series, No. 7 Florida bounced back with a 12-7 win over No. 5 Alabama Monday.

Following the win, Florida head coach Tim Walton praised the energy of the Gator fans. “That was one of the best crowds we’ve had in my 17 years here,” he said.

The Gators improve to 31-9 overall and 8-7 in conference play — seventh in the SEC.

Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower made her 16th start this year and recorded the first 11 outs before freshman right-hander Lexie Delbrey entered the circle in relief. Hightower allowed four runs on six hits and a pair of walks. Delbrey gave up three runs on eight hits across the next three innings but exited the game in the top of the seventh as senior right-hander Natalie Lugo got the final out to secure the victory.

At the plate, Florida freshman Reagan Walsh kicked off the scoring with a solo shot — her team-leading sixth home run this season — to lead off the bottom of the second inning.

In the third, Walsh drove in two more runs on a single up the middle to tie the game.

The Gators produced a six-run fourth inning courtesy of three wild pitches, a two-run single and a Walsh sacrifice fly — her fourth RBI in three at-bats.

Florida added three insurance runs in the sixth after it strung together four hits. Shortstop Skylar Wallace led off with a double down the left-field line before second baseman Hannah Adams laid down a bunt single to put runners on the corners. The next batter, third baseman Charla Echols, singled home Wallace before freshman catcher Sam Roe knocked a two-out, two-run single to give Florida a commanding 12-5 lead.

Final (R/H/E)

#5 Alabama: 7 / 14 / 1

#7 Florida: 12 / 10 / 0

Pitching Decision

Win: Delbrey (10-2)

Loss: Kilfoyl (8-3)

Individual Stats

RHP Hightower: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

RHP Delbrey: 3 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

RHP Lugo: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

1. SS Wallace: 1-2, 3 R, 2 BB, K
2. 2B Adams: 3-4, 3 R, RBI, K
3. 3B Echols: 1-2, R, RBI, BB, HBP
4. DP Walsh: 2-3, R, 4 RBI, HR (6)
5. RF Lindsey: 0-3, K
6. C Roe: 2-3, R, 2 RBI, BB
7. LF Kistler: 0-3
8. 1B Longley: 0-2, R, HBP
9. CF Falby: 1-3, R, K

Next Up

The Gators will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, this weekend to face Ole Miss. The series opener is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m.