Thrilling comeback gives Florida Gators series win

The Florida Gators (38-14, 17-10 SEC) used three unanswered runs in the eight and ninth innings to force extra innings and tacked on two more in the 10th to earn a huge series win over SEC East leading Vanderbilt (36-16, 18-9 SEC).

The Gators looked down and out after Vanderbilt scored three runs in the seventh inning to break a tie and take the lead late. With a National Seed in the NCAA Tournament on the line the stakes were high and emotion ran thick.

After a couple of great pitching performances, the bats ruled the day on Saturday. Buddy Reed launched a three-run home run in the top of the first; only to have Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson launch a two-run bomb of his own in the bottom half of the frame.

Rhett Wiseman tied the game in the bottom of the third with a solo home run and Dansby Swanson launched a solo shot of his own in the fifth. Up to that point all seven runs had been scored via the long ball.

Florida tied the game in the fifth inning, while having to use Alex Faedo, Kirby Snead and Dane Dunning and Bobby Poyner to match Vanderbilt starter Walker Buehler, who threw 6.1 innings.

Richie Martin singled in the seventh inning with two runners on base. Mike Rivera raced around third and needed to execute a perfect slide to get around the tag after the ball beat him to the plate. Rivera contorted his body perfectly to miss the tag and score.

With a tie game, senior Bobby Poyner lost control – something he hadn’t done all season long. Poyner entered the game with just three walks to his name but walked two in the seventh inning, including the go-ahead run. Will Toffey’s ground rule double scored two more and Vanderbilt had what appeared to be a comfortable three-run lead.

Pete Alonso singled with one out to get the Gators going. JJ Schwarz sent a triple down the right field line to score Alonso and Ryan Larson drove him in one batter later.

Heading to the ninth with a one-run deficit, Florida’s chances appeared grim when Josh Tobias flied out and Harrison Bader struck out. Buddy Reed kept the game going with a single up the middle and Alonso drew a walk. Schwarz shot a ball through the right side and the speedy Buddy Reed easily beat the throw easily to tie the game at seven.

With momentum on their side the Gators tacked on two more runs in the 10th and Taylor Lewis closed the door, earning his fourth win of the season.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC