Tide Blown Out By Florida 13-3

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May 1, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama batter Justin Lebron (1) connects for a single as the Crimson Tide downed Vanderbilt in game 2 of the series 5-0 in Sewell-Thomas Stadium. | Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Alabama received a double bye in the SEC Tournament by virtue of finishing in the top four in the conference during the regular season. The tournament is held at the Hoover Met. With the fourth place finish Bama didn’t play in the tournament until Thursday. The team’s stay was short as they were run ruled 13-3 in eight innings by the Florida Gators. The Tide fell to 37-19 on the year and Florida improved to 39-18. Bama will play next in Regional’s and almost certainly will be hosting. The pairings will be announced on Monday morning.

Tyler Fay started for the Tide against Liam Peterson for Florida. The last time the two faced off was on March 20th and Fay got the better of the matchup by no hitting the Gators as Bama won 6-0. The Tide chased Peterson after five innings, collecting nine hits and all six runs off the right hander.

On Thursday the Gators erupted for 16 hits and 13 runs off of seven Tide pitchers. Fay was sharp through the first three innings, striking out three and allowing only one hit. Bama hit the ball hard off of Peterson in the bottom of the 1st inning. Bryce Fowler drove a ball deep to right field that just missed leaving the ball park. After Justin LeBron popped out Brady Neal and Jason Torres both singled. Peterson struck out Johnny Lemm to end the threat. Brennan Holt singled with one out in the second to bring Luke Vaughn up. Vaughn drilled a 1-0 pitch 402 feet to deep centerfield, however the only problem is the fence measures 4o5 feet at the Met. In the third LeBron singled and stole second base and moved to third base on a passed ball. A ground out and strikeout stranded him there.

The Gators finally got to Fay in the top of the fourth. Brendan Lawson blasted a one out home run for a 1-0 lead. With two outs Ethan Surowiec hit a solo home run of his own before Fay notched a strikeout to end the inning with UF ahead 2-0. Holt singled with two outs in the bottom of the frame, but Vaughn sharply lined out to third base to thwart the rally.

Things fell apart in the top of 5th for Alabama. An infield dribbler led off the inning. After a fly out and a great play and throw from the hole by LeBron there was a runner on second and two outs. Hayden Yost ripped a double into the right field that Neal couldn’t corral, after coming in before having to back track, to score one run and Yost came home on a little bloop single by Kyle Jones, chasing Fay from the game. Matthew Heiberger replaced Fay and hit the first batter he faced. Blake Cyr hit a long drive to right that Neal couldn’t get to for a triple and another two runs driven in. Suroweic hit a ball up the middle that LeBron got to, but he kicked off his glove allowing another run to score. A fly out finally ended the inning with the Gators ahead 7-0.

Alabama finally scored in the bottom of the 5th, but could only manage one run. Peyton Steele led off and smashed a pitch up the middle that hit Peterson in the back side and caromed off for a single. After Fowler was retired LeBron took a 99 mph fast ball for a double into right-center field. With runners on second and third Neal hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Steele. Torres struck out but reached first base when the ball got away from Gator catcher Karson Bowen. A strikeout of Lemm ended the inning.

Heirberger hit a batter, allowed a single, and walked one in the 6th, but a fly out and double play kept Florida off the board. Florida designated hitter Caden McDonald replaced Peterson on the mound in the bottom half and struck out all three men he faced looking. Ashton Crowther replaced Heiberger in the 7th for Bama and faced four batters, walking one and allowing three doubles before being replaced by Sam Mitchell. Mitchell allowed two singles before retiring the side on a fly ball and two strikeouts. By the time the frame was over the score was 11-1, and the run rule was in effect.

Needing at least one run to keep the game going the Tide tried to fight back. Fowler walked and LeBron lined to second base for the second out of the inning. Down to their last out, Neal smoked a home run to right field to make the score 11-3. The long ball was Neal’s 8th of the year.

Evan Steckmesser took the 8th inning on the mound for Bama. After a strikeout and a single, Owen Sarna replaced Steckmesser. Two straight doubles scored two runs before Sarna retired the side. Needing to hold the Tide scoreless to end the game early, Florida called on Ricky Reeth. After two quick out Vaughn lined a single into right field. A strikeout of Steele looking ended the game with the score of 13-3.

Alabama hit 9-33 in the game with one walk, one hit batter, 14 strikeouts, and nine left on base. The Tide had one double, one home run, and one stolen base. Neal finished 2-3 with a home run, sacrifice fly, and drove in all three runs. LeBron was 2-4 with a double and his 38th stolen base of the season. Holt also hit 2-4 with a pair of singles. Fay suffered the loss and fell to 9-4 on the year.

Florida racked up 16 hits in 38 at bats with two walks, two hit batters, eight strikeouts, and left six on base. The Gators hit six doubles, two home runs, and had a sacrifice fly. Every starter had at least one hit with Suroweic leading the way with four hits including a double and home run while driving in three. McDonald also drove in three with two hits. Peterson improved to 3-5 with his dominate performance.

This was not a good day for the Tide, but shouldn’t affect their chances of being a Regional host. The hope of a top eight seed is still alive, but probably on life support. Depending on results of other games around the country, that could still happen. For now the team needs to get ready for whoever the committee will send to Tuscaloosa for Bama to play. There is still a lot to play for for this team.

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