After a strong four-game stretch against Auburn, Florida's bats went cold against Vanderbilt.
The Gators (41-17) lost to the Commodores (32-25) 2-1 Thursday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. The defeat puts UF one loss away from elimination.
Starter Hudson Randall gave Florida a strong outing, which kept the Gators close despite a lagging offense. He surrendered just two runs on three hits in 5.2 innings.
Randall's lone mistake came in the fourth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Vanderbilt designated hitter Riley Reynolds hit a two-run triple to right-center field to put the Commodores up 2-0.
It was all Vandy needed.
The Gators only managed two hits against Commodores starter Sam Selman before cutting the deficit in half in the seventh frame. Nolan Fontana led off the inning with a single, and he advanced to third on an overthrown pickoff attempt by Vanderbilt reliever Tyler Beede.
Beede struck out Daniel Pigott swinging, and he retired Preston Tucker on a fly out to right field. Tucker hit it deep enough to score Fontana for a sacrifice fly.
UF only managed a two-out single from Pigott in the bottom of the ninth for the rest of the game. Florida will play South Carolina (40-16) in a rematch of the 2011 College World Series on Friday.
It will be an elimination game for both squads.
The Gators and Gamecocks will play 30 minutes after the final out in the elimination game between LSU and Mississippi State at 4 p.m.
