Despite losing by run-rule to Texas A&M just two days earlier, the Florida Gators rebounded by winning when it mattered most to earn a spot in the SEC Tournament Championship Game. Florida trounced the Aggies 9-0 behind a stellar effort from little used LHP Timmy Manning and an offensive explosion.
Manning, making his first appearance since April 5, struck out five and walked just one over five innings of work. Fisher Jameson completed the win to earn the save for the Gators.
The Florida offense was impressive as the Gators scored in all but the first and eighth inning to give Manning all the support he needed, and some.
Florida got on the scoreboard first as Jud Fabian took Ryan Prager deep for his SEC-leading 22nd homer of the year.
The Gators added a run in the third as Wyatt Langford led off the inning with a double before scoring on a sacrifice fly from BT Riopelle two hitters later.
A Mac Guscette single to left plated Fabian and Jac Caglianone to increase the advantage to 4-0.
In the fifth, Sterlin Thompson scored on an RBI ground into double play by Ty Evans to stretch the lead to 5-0.
The next inning, Langford beat the shift with a two-run single that scored Rivera and Guscette to make it a 7-0 ballgame.
Then, Riopelle beat the shift with a bunt down the third base line to lead off the seventh. He came around to score three batters later on Caglianone’s sacrifice fly to left.
The Gators’ final run crossed home plate in the top of the ninth as Riopelle scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Caglianone.
Key Performances:
- Riopelle: 3-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R
- Langford: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R
- Evans: 2-5
- Manning: 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
- Jameson: 4 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Pitching Decision:
- W: Timmy Manning
- L: Ryan Prager
- S: Fisher Jameson
On Deck:
Florida advances to the SEC Tournament Championship Game which will be held Sunday at 3:00 PM (ET). The Gators will face the winner of the Tennessee-Kentucky game that followed their game.