Katelynn Oxley pitches during a game earlier this season. The sophomore saw action in relief as Alabama closed out a run-rule win over Florida in the SEC Tournament semifinals. (Noah Lantor/WRUF)

Gators Suffer Run-Rule Loss to Alabama in SEC Tournament

No. 3 Florida couldn’t capitalize on its chances Friday.

Falling 9-1 in five innings to No. 2 Alabama in the SEC Tournament semifinals, the Gators went 0-for-4 with the bases loaded and left 10 runners on base in the loss. It marked Florida’s first run-rule defeat in the SEC Tournament since the 2012 championship game (also against Alabama).

Freshman Leah Stevens got the start in the circle and opened strong before the Crimson Tide broke through. Stevens (5-2) pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Florida (48-10) showed early promise when Taylor Shumaker and Jocelyn Erickson drew walks in the first and advanced on a passed ball, but Alabama pitcher Vic Moten responded with three straight strikeouts to strand both runners.

Alabama (49-6) threatened in the bottom half, but Stevens matched Moten by striking out the side to escape the inning.

The Gators continued to apply pressure in the second, loading the bases again as Moten struggled with command. But once more, Florida came up empty, unable to deliver a timely hit.

That missed opportunity proved costly.

The Crimson Tide broke through in the second when Ambrey Taylor launched a leadoff home run. Alabama added three more runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Marie Giles, to take a 4-0 lead.

Florida answered with its only run in the third. Ava Brown led off with a walk and moved to third on a double from Townsen Thomas. Madison Walker brought her home with a groundout, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

Alabama quickly regained momentum. After Olivia Miller relieved Stevens with two outs in the third, the Crimson Tide extended the lead with a two-out rally. Jena Young delivered an RBI double, aided by a throwing error, and Alexis Pupillo followed with an RBI single to make it 6-1.

Moten settled in from there, retiring the Gators in order in the fourth.

Florida had one last chance to avoid the run rule in the fifth but, for the fourth time, left the bases loaded without scoring.

Alabama put the game away in the bottom half with Katelynn Oxley on the mound. Pupillo drove in a run with an RBI double, Audrey Vandagriff followed with another and Taylor ended it with an RBI single to seal the run-rule win.

Florida now awaits Selection Sunday at 7 p.m. to learn its NCAA Tournament fate.

Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Softball