Down by a run heading into the bottom of the seventh against No. 6 Alabama, top-ranked Florida had the opportunity to tie the game.
After a one-out single by Justine McLean and a fielders’ choice from Kelsey Stewart, the Gators’ fate rested on the shoulders of Nicole DeWitt, the sophomore who clinched Florida’s series against LSU last weekend with a go-ahead three-run homer in the ninth inning of the second game.
But against the Crimson Tide, DeWitt could not replicate the heroics.
Facing a 2-2 count in front of a season-high crowd of 2,109, DeWitt struck out swinging, giving the Crimson Tide a 2-1 victory on Friday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The defeat — Florida’s first at home this season — snaps the Gators’ seven game winning streak.
“Good environment, good energy, I thought the team that played better won,” coach Tim Walton said.
“I think that’s pretty easy to see. They hit better (and) they made better defensive plays.”
As has become typical this season, Florida’s pitching was stellar, allowing just two earned runs.
But the offense struggled.
The Gators’ lone score came on a line-drive home run to right-center by senior Kirsti Merritt in the bottom of the fourth that tied the game 1-1.
Much of Florida’s difficulties came from facing Alabama starting pitcher Sydney Littlejohn, who entered the game with a 1.65 ERA and improved to 13-2.
“She’s been lights out all year long,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said.
“To limit (Florida) … is pretty good.”
Both teams struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Florida (33-2, 8-2 Southeastern Conference) left seven runners on base, while the Crimson Tide (30-6, 4-3 SEC) stranded eight.
“They had two hits with runners in scoring position, we had zero, so that’s the difference,” Walton said. “Losing, you know, is a humbling experience for you. So you just gotta figure it out, change, shift gears and get going.”
The series resumes Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2.
Contact Brian Lee at blee@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @brianlee_17.
Nicole DeWitt bats during UF's 2-1 win against UNF on April 1, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
