Florida’s resiliency was on full display in Gainesville on Thursday night. After star junior catcher Luke Heyman suffered a fractured forearm in his first at-bat, the Gators rallied from behind 5-0 to beat No.18 Alabama 7-6 in the series opener.
Heyman wasn’t the only player Florida was without. In the 4th inning, Florida’s second baseman Justin Nadeau left the game with a hand injury, adding another name to a laundry list of injured Gators which includes four of Florida’s top six hitters from Opening Day.
“We’ve had some great wins here. How gutsy of a win this was for our team, because we easily could have folded the tent. Fell behind 5-0, we lose Luke, we turn around an inning later and lose Justin. We’re already down players. We could have easily hung our heads,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said postgame.
No.23 Florida improved to 36-18 (14-14 SEC) on the 2025 season, a miraculous turnaround after starting 1-11 in conference play. The Gators have not only locked up an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, but there’s conversations about Florida potentially hosting a regional.
Due to the number of injuries this season, Florida had to burn sophomore outfielder Blake Brookins’ redshirt season. Brookins entered the game in the 4th inning, recording a one out double in his second at bat of the season and later scoring on Bobby Boser’s RBI single. Sophomore infielder Landon Stripling entered the game for Heyman and sparked a massive three run inning with a two out RBI single through the right side. Stripling scored two runs in the contest as well. Florida’s season has very much been a ‘next man up’ mentality. Friday night was no different.
“Starting out 1-11, going though that adversity, it’s probably helping us right now,” O’Sullivan said postgame. “The injuries are mounting, but with that being said, Stripling gets a hit tonight, Brookins comes off the bench and gets a double. It’s one of those things, but what can you say, I’m proud of the team, the way they battled.”
Junior catcher Brody Donay launched his 15th home run of the season in the 7th inning, a go-ahead two run bomb to opposite field. Donay will take on a much larger role moving forward, taking over the catching responsibilities after Heyman’s injury.
While Florida’s offense did enough to win them the game, it wasn’t possible without two heroic efforts out of the bullpen from Luke McNeillie and Jake Clemente. The two combined for four innings of no earned run ball while allowing just one hit. The only hit allowed was a fly ball that Florida’s defense lost in the night sky. McNeillie in particular was maybe as sharp as we’ve seen him all season, striking out four batters in two innings while displaying incredible poise.
“He pitched great,” O’Sullivan said on McNeillie. “Without his performance we’re probably not standing here with a win.”
Clemente earned his 7th save of the year, working efficiently through the top of the Alabama lineup in the 9th frame.
“Obviously Jake bounced back from last weekend and threw 29 pitches over two,” O’Sullivan added on Clemente.
It was a bittersweet night for the Gators ballclub. They got yet another ranked win and inched closer to hosting a regional, but they lost their catcher and team leader Luke Heyman for the season in the process.
“He’s worked so hard,” O’Sullivan said on Heyman. “I just love the kid more than anything. Everybody is disappointed for him. He’s worked his tail off.”
This is my third season covering the Florida baseball team. I’ve been to two College World Series and seen some big-time wins during that span. Thursday night vs Alabama, however, may be the most admirable win I’ve seen to date given the adversity this team has fought through.
Florida will be without a lot of star power the rest of the way, but the Gators will push forward with a next man up mentality. Florida can take their sixth straight SEC series with a win over Alabama tomorrow.