Florida decided it was as good of a time for a dog pile as any after a 6-5 victory over Tennessee in the 11th inning to open the season’s last weekend series with a win on Thursday.
But it wasn’t just any Southeastern Conference victory.
With the win, Florida clinched the school’s 22nd SEC East baseball title and at least a share of UF’s 13th SEC regular season crown.
The Gators (36-18, 20-8 SEC) also defeated the Volunteers (30-21, 11-17 SEC) for the 14th time in coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s tenure as head coach and for the sixth time in Knoxville.
Tennessee got on the board first after an RBI double by designated hitter Nick Senzel in the bottom of the first inning, but Florida would crack back with some offensive firepower of its own on one swing of the bat.
Seven-hole hitter Peter Alonso stepped to the plate with two on and no outs in the second inning and proceeded to crank a three-run home run into the left-field bleachers. It gave the Gators a 3-1 lead — a lead they would hold for three more innings before the Volunteers answered in a big way.
After Florida earned a fourth run on a Zach Powers RBI double, Tennessee nine-hole hitter Taylor Smart tied the game up in one fell swoop with a three-run home run of his own to left field in the sixth inning.
In the eighth inning, Tennessee would take its second lead of the game when second baseman Will Maddox’s RBI single scored pinch runner Johnny Youngblood. The Volunteers could not add to their lead, however, because on the same play leadoff hitter Scott Price got caught in a rundown between second and third base to end the inning.
It was an out the home team couldn’t afford to throw away, because in the top of the ninth with the Gators down to their last out, center fielder Harrison Bader crushed an RBI double to right field to score leadoff hitter Casey Turgeon.
Tennessee was unable to score in the last of the ninth, so the Volunteers played in extra innings for the fourth straight game.
After a scoreless 10th, Bader would reach in the top of the eleventh on a single to left center. In his attempt to steal second, catcher Tyler Schultz’s throw was booted into the outfield and dribbled past center fielder Vincent Jackson allowing Bader to score the go-ahead run.
Florida pitcher Kirby Snead got Senzel to pop out with one on and two outs to end the game, and the dog pile was on.
Follow Richard Johnson on Twitter @RagjUF
Outfielder Harrison Bader bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Ole Miss on March 31, 2013, at McKethan Stadium.
