ChompTalk.com

After surviving a horrific SEC start and charging into NCAA tournament play, the Florida Gators fell flat — twice — against East Carolina and cut the 2025 season short.

Florida fell 10-4 to the Pirates Sunday for its second and final loss in the Conway regional.

Left-hander Pierce Coppola started for the Gators and struggled with his command. He loaded up the bases in the first two innings. Some poor fielding, particularly on an E5 throwing error to field a bunt play, allowed two runs to score in the bottom of the second. Coppola then struck out the side, bringing his total to five Ks, to make it a 2-0 ECU lead.

Justin Nadeau singled in the top third to bring Florida’s deficit to 2-1. Right-handed reliever Billy Barlow took over for Coppola in the bottom frame after the lefty walked his third batter in as many innings with no outs. The Myrtle Beach native gave up two RBIs without an out, prompting Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan to call on closer Jake Clemente far earlier than anticipated.

The Pirates tacked on two more runs in the third and a solo homer in the fourth to make it an ugly 8-1 lead.

Florida found a spark when it loaded the bases in the top sixth. East Carolina chose to pull starter Lance Williams to no avail. The Gators tacked on three runs before handing the ball back to Clemente in the bottom frame down 8-4.

The Gators just couldn’t pull it together defensively. They let up a ninth run on their second error of the game. Luke McNeillie and Blaine Rowland came in after Clemente and kept the Pirates at bay, but it was already too late. Alex Philpott let up the tenth and eleventh runs to seal the deal.

With the loss Florida’s season is over. The NCAA baseball transfer portal opens today and fall practices will begin in late 2025.