Aleman carves up Tide, Gators roll into semifinals

Kevin O'Sullivan and the Gators will start the 2015 campaign off as the sixth ranked team in the country. / Gator Country photo by David BowieWhile the Gators’ offensive explosion stole the show in Wednesday’s beatdown of Mississippi State, Thursday evening’s winners’ bracket showdown with Alabama was all about the man on the mound for the Gators.

Franco Aleman was sensational. He pitched a career-high seven innings and gave up no runs on five hits. He walked only one batter and struck out four.

His dominant start, along with some late offense, propelled sixth-seeded UF past the 10th-seeded Crimson Tide 7-2 and into the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday. They’ll face the winner of…