Alabama Takes Game Two Against Florida 8-4 to Clinch the Series

The Crimson Tide clinched its first SEC series this season after winning 8-4 against No.18 Florida on Saturday, with the Crimson Tide looking for the sweep in game three on Sunday in Alabama's SEC series home opener.

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Alabama struck first in the game two matchup. Crimson Tide shortstop Justin Lebron drew a walk, which then saw Alabama's right fielder Brady Neal knock a single to center field, bringing Lebron to third base all the way from first. The following at bat, third baseman Jason Torres executed a sacrifice bunt, which drove home Lebron to make the score 1-0 going into the second inning.

Florida responded with not only its first run of the weekend but also their first hit of the weekend as Gators' catcher Karson Bowen ripped a solo shot over left field to tie the game at one, and to give the senior catcher his second home run of the season.

The top of the third inning saw the Gators take their first lead of the weekend when Florida's left fielder, Blake Cyr, knocked an RBI single over the head of Brennan Holt, which drove home the second Gator run of the afternoon, to give Florida a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the third.

Alabama regained the lead in the bottom of the third inning thanks to a Brady Neal RBI single, his second single of the game, with this one driving home Holt from third base, following Neal's RBI, Torres picked up his second RBI of the day as he once again dropped a sacrifice bunt to perfection with this one driving home Bryce Fowler from third to give the Tide a one run lead going into the fourth inning.

The Crimson Tide added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Neal came away with his third single of the day and his second RBI of the game, with this one driving home Fowler to give the Crimson Tide a 4-2 advantage going into the sixth inning.

Alabama's defense remained stout throughout this game, with the Crimson Tide's Saturday starter Zane Adams having a solid outing, which saw the left-handed pitcher scatter five hits, allow two earned runs, and strikeout six batters while pitching 102 pitches throughout six innings in game two's matchup.

Matthew Heiberger came in to relieve Adams at the top of the seventh inning, where Heiberger went on to force the Gators to go three-up and three down in the top of the seventh inning, although in the top of the eighth inning, Heiberger did find himself in a tricky situation with runners on first and second with no outs. Still, the lefty didn't panic and proceeded to punch out two batters and force a line drive on one to escape the inning without allowing Florida to score a run, with runners being left stranded on first and second.

The Crimson Tide added to its lead some more in the bottom of the seventh inning when Lebron came away with a two-run home run over left field, where it bounced off the scoreboard. This tacked on two more runs for the Tide and increased its lead to four runs. This was also the shortstop's first hit of the weekend, and his tenth home run of the season.

The home team added it on in the bottom of the eighth with the Tide adding two insurance runs before the final inning, thanks to an RBI double from Brennan Holt for his first RBI of the day, and then Brady Neal came through and picked up his third RBI of the game when he grounded out to first base, but drove Holt home. This made the score 8-2 going into the final inning.

The top of the ninth inning saw the Gators attempt a rally with Florida plating two runs, and had runners on second and third base with the tying run on deck. Fortunately for the Tide, a flyout to right field ended this game and gave Alabama its first season series victory against Florida since 2008.

Alabama will improve to 17-7 on the season and 2-3 in SEC play, as the Crimson Tide will look to complete the series sweep with a game three win tomorrow, which will take place at noon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

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