HOOVER, Ala. – B.T. Riopelle’s walk-off homer in the bottom of the eleventh powered the No. 1 seed Gators past the No. 9 seeded Crimson Tide in the second round of the SEC Tournament, 7-6. Cade Fisher earned the win in relief, while Alton Davis II was tagged for the loss.
WALK. OFF. HOMER. GATORS. 🐊@GatorsBB score 4 runs in the 11th inning to get the W over Alabama
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) May 25, 2023
No team has ever overcome a 3-run deficit in extra innings in the SEC Tournament 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kzmg7rPdf3
Josh Rivera got the Gators off to a fast start with a two-run shot to left field in the bottom of the first. The blast was Crimson Tide starter Luke Holman’s only blemish of the day, giving up two runs in his 5.2 innings of work.
Gator starter Hurston Waldrep fired 5.2 innings of three run ball, while striking out seven, and only walking two. Reliever Ryan Slater stranded a pair of Alabama runners in the 6th. In the seventh, Slater sat the Tide down in order to conclude his night of work.
The Gators came back to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth after Dale Thomas drew a leadoff walk and scored from first on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt from Michael Robertson.
Philip Abner threw a scoreless eighth inning for the Gators, while striking out one. Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan went to closer Brandon Neely in the ninth with the game tied at 3. Neely threw 2.2 spotless innings before giving up a bases-clearing double to Tommy Siedl in the top of the eleventh. Neely finished his night with five strikeouts and three earned runs. Cade Fisher faced one batter in relief to finish the eleventh and earn the win.
Down three in the eleventh, Wyatt Langford singled to center to lead off the inning before the Tide handed the ball over to Alton Davis II. Back to back singles from Jac Caglianone and Josh Rivera brought the Gators within two, bringing up Riopelle to the plate. Riopelle proceeded to launch one to deep right-center field to steal a win for the Gators in extras.
The Gators will take on the winner of Vanderbilt and Auburn on Thursday, May 25. It will be the last game of the day and take place 30 minutes after the LSU and Arkansas game, which is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. EST.