Gator Country

Senior Bryson Smith drove in the game-winning run in the top of the ninth to help the Gators top the Commodores 6-5 in the series opener. / Gator Country photo by Tim Casey

After Friday night’s game was suspended due to rain, No. 5 Florida (38-12, 19-6 SEC) overcame a 4-2 deficit when play resumed Saturday to top No. 2 Vanderbilt (41-7, 19-6 SEC) with a thrilling ninth inning comeback that moved the Gators into a first-place tie with the Commodores atop the SEC standings.

Trailing 5-4 entering the top of the ninth, senior Josh Adams blasted a leadoff solo shot over the left-field fence to tie the game at nine.

With one out, junior Daniel Pigott singled to third and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Senior Bryson Smith drove him in minutes later with an RBI double to put Florida ahead 6-5.

Sophomore Austin Maddox came on to pitch the final inning for the Gators and sat down Vanderbilt in order to secure the win.

Vanderbilt got out to an early 1-0 lead Friday night against right-hander Hudson Randall. The Commodores took advantage of an infield single by junior Jason Esposito that scored freshman Tony Kemp.

Florida tied the game in the top of the second inning when Josh Adams drove home Mike Zunino on a ground ball to second base.

The Commodores retook the lead in the bottom of the third inning when they took advantage of an error and knocked in three runs with two outs.

A bloop single just past first base drove home the first run, then third baseman Jeff Moyer misplayed a ball at third base to allow the second run. Vanderbilt plated another with an RBI single to take a 4-1 lead.

Florida drew one back with the bases loaded in the fifth inning as Preston Tucker was hit by a pitch to bring home a run.

The game was suspended until Saturday after the top of the sixth inning with Vanderbilt leading 4-2.

The Gators quickly plated two runs to tie the game in the top of the seventh when play resumed on Saturday.

Redshirt sophomore Vickash Ramjit singled to lead off the top of the inning, and sophomore Nolan Fontana tied the game with a one-out, two-run homer to right field.

Vanderbilt pulled ahead in the bottom of the eighth when Vanderbilt center fielder Connor Harrell hit a two-out RBI single up the middle to score pinch-runner Jack Lupo and put the Commodores ahead 5-4 heading into the final inning.

Randall pitched five innings and gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits while walking two batters.

Junior Anthony DeSclafani (5-2) picked up the win for the Gators, while Maddox was credited with his second save of the season.

The second game of the series was set to start at 4:30 p.m. Saturday with left-handers Brian Johnson (7-2, 2.53) and junior Grayson Garvin (10-1, 2.15) expected to take the mound.

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