TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 5 Florida defeated No. 3 Alabama, 9-2, to clinch the series Saturday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium. UF has now clinched all five of its Southeastern Conference series this season.
The Gators (32-5, 12-2 SEC) used a five-run 6th inning, which was highlighted by a Kendyl Lindaman grand slam, to run away with second game of the series game Crimson Tide (32-7, 11-6 SEC). Natalie Lugo (10-1) hurled 4.0 innings and held Alabama to just two runs on four hits, while Katie Chronister shut the door in the final 3.0 innings to earn her third save of the season.
Florida posted a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd inning of play to break the scoreless tie. Hannah Adams started the rally with a one-out walk on four pitches and Cheyenne Lindsey drove her home when she sent the 0-1 offering from Goodman to right-center field for a double.
Charla Echols then followed up Lindsey’s double with one of her own as she flared a shot to left field, which allowed Lindsey to race home and slide headfirst with her hand reaching the plate before Bailey Hemphill was able to apply the tag.
Alabama was able to strike back in the home half of the 4th inning to tie the game 2-2. A leadoff walk by Hemphill and a base hit to right field by KB Sides put two runners on with no outs for Kaylee Tow.
Tow then sent a chopper up the middle of the Florida infield, which scored pinch-runner Kayla Davis and when Tow attempted to gain an extra base she was thrown out, but the result also allowed Sides to score the tying run from third.
The Gators regained the lead, 3-2, in the 5th inning after the team took advantage of a series of wild pitches Crimson Tide. Echols drew a one-out walk and was able to advance all the way to third on a pair of wild pitches and Lindaman battled through a 12-pitch at-bat to put runners on the corners.
Florida then brought in pinch runners Kali Reis and Katie Kistler during Julia Cottrill’s at-bat. Alabama opted to intentionally walk Cottrill, but relief pitcher Sarah Cornell put the ball in the dirt which allowed Reis to score from third.
The Gators’ big 6th inning started with a single by Avery Goelz, which was followed up by a SAC bunt from Sarah Longley to move Goelz into scoring position. Florida then extended its’ lead to 4-2 after back-to-back fielding errors that allowed Goelz to score.
Echols then was intentionally walked to load the bases. That set the table for Lindaman’s first grand slam of the season.
In the 7th inning, Sarah Longley picked up a two-out single to put the inning in motion and Jaimie Hoover reached on a fielding error by Morgan at third base. Adams reached in the next at-bat via a full-count walk to load the bases and Longley was able to race home on a wild pitch to cap the scoring.
The Gators and the Crimson Tide will close out the series Sunday, April 18, at 2 p.m. (ET) on the SEC Network.
Notable Notes:
- Florida cut into Alabama’s lead into lead in the all-time series standings 41-39 and 17-15 when playing at Rhoads Stadium.
- The Gators series win is the fifth series win against Alabama while playing at Rhoads Stadium.
- The two programs have only played nine three-game series at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
- Head Coach Tim Walton has won four of the six series against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
- UF improved to 6-1 on the season when playing on network television and 10-5 against Top 25 opponents.
- The program is also now 27-1 on the season when scoring first.
- Natalie Lugo picked up her 10th win of the season after throwing 5.0 innings with only four hits and two runs given up.
- The 10 wins is a season-high for the right-hander and she is now 27-6 in her career.
- Katie Chronister earned her third save of the season, which ties Hightower and Lugo on the season.
- The Gators now have nine saves on the year.
- Lindaman’s grand slam was her first of the season and the second of the year for the Gators.
- Florida has been issued five intentional walks in the series this weekend.
- Charla Echols has drawn three, while Julia Cottrill has been issued two.