GAINESVILLE, Fla. - No. 18 Alabama (39-14, 15-13 SEC) drops the first game of its three-game series against No. 23 Florida (36-18, 14-14 SEC) 7-6 on Thursday night after the Gators came back from a five-run deficit.

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Alabama came out of the gates swinging for the fences with Richie Bonomolo Jr, the Crimson Tide’s center fielder, going yard for the outfielders’ eighth time this season, this time being a two-run home run over left field to make it 2-0 going into the bottom half of the first inning. 

In the top of the third inning, the Tide extended their lead when Justin LeBron, Alabama's star shortstop, hit his 18th home run of the season, which ties him for 14th place among Division 1 home-run leaders. This two-run homer increased their advantage to 4-0. Before the inning concluded, Alabama's third baseman, Jason Torres, singled to left field, driving home Bonomolo Jr. and giving the Tide a five-run lead as they headed into the bottom of the third inning.

Tyler Fay, the Tide’s usual day one starter, came out in the zone with the sophomore pitcher having a phenomenal outing, allowing only two hits through four innings. The bottom of the fourth inning saw the Gators’ first baseman, Landon Stripling, cross home plate due to a wild pitch from Fay to give the Gators their first run of the contest, making it a 5-1 ball game going into the fifth inning.

In the fifth inning, Fay’s day came to an end after giving up his second run of the evening. Myers was the first of the three relievers who pitched for the Tide in Friday’s game one matchup, with Myers checking in for Fay with runners on first and second base with two outs. Unfortunately, Myers was unable to find any rhythm on the mound, with Florida coming away with two more runs thanks to an RBI double by designated hitter Ty Evans and an RBI single by catcher Brody Donay.

Alabama added another run in the top of the sixth inning when Will Hodo reached home thanks to a throwing error by Florida’s third baseman to make the score 6-4 going into the bottom of the sixth, which saw the Gators answer back with a run of its own when shortstop Bobby Boser came away with an RBI single to center field to cut the Tide’s lead down to one run going into the seventh inning.

Florida took its first lead of Game One in the bottom of the seventh inning when Donay jacked a two-run home run to right center field to give the Gators a one-run lead with two innings remaining in the matchup. 

The Crimson Tide were unable to rally back, going hitless in the last three innings of Friday’s 7-6 loss to Florida. The Gators forced the Tide to go three up and three down in two of the final three innings. 

Stat Leaders

• Hits- Will Hodo
• Runs- Richie Bonomolo Jr.
• RBIs- Justin Lebron and Richie Bonomolo Jr. (2)
• Strikeouts- Tyler Fay (4)

Alabama will aim to bounce back and tie the series in game two on Friday, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Gainesville. The Tide is looking to set up a rubber match game three on Saturday.

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