The ball was low, but Peter Alonso swung.
It left his bat and soared over left field at TD Ameritrade Park, and with Florida trailing by three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning in the College World Series, Alonso’s two-run homer brought the Gators within one run.
“It gave us hope,” Alonso said.
It was the last time UF would score.
After Alonso trotted around the bases, JJ Schwarz struck out, Mike Rivera popped out, and Jonathan India was tagged out trying to reach second base after his hit fell deep in left field.
No. 1 seed Florida (52-16) was eliminated from the College World Series on Tuesday night after losing 3-2 to Texas Tech (47-19).
“Of course we’re disappointed, of course we want to stay here longer,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “We’ve been here five out of the last seven (years), and we’ll be here again soon.”
Alonso’s homer in the ninth was the only offensive highlight for the Gators, who struggled at the plate for most of the night.
The Gators finished with a .207 batting average in the final game of their season.
“We had some opportunities,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s just a tough way to end it.”
Sophomore Alex Faedo gave up two runs through 7.2 innings and struck out nine batters.
But Florida’s hitters didn’t have an answer for Texas Tech starter Davis Martin, who pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just three hits.
Martin was relieved by junior Hayden Howard, who allowed Florida’s only two runs.
As India was tagged out at second base to end the game, Howard was swarmed by his teammates.
Alonso walked off the field, his eyes closed and his head bent toward the ground.
“I know a lot of us put our heart and soul into every pitch. And it was the goal to win a national championship,” Alonso said. “And it feels terrible.”
Contact Ian Cohen at icohen@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @icohenb.
Peter Alonso follows through on a swing during Florida's 10-4 loss to Mississippi State on April 9, 2016, at McKethan Stadium.
