The Gators were in a good position to close out Oklahoma and win the Gainesville Regional shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday. They were up 2-1, and starting pitcher Brandon Neely had only given up four hits in 6 2/3 innings on just one day’s rest.
Then a storm came and washed the Gators’ season away.
Following a five-hour-and-32-minute weather delay that somehow felt even longer than that, the Sooners erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth and held on to defeat Florida, 5-4. The Gators finished their season with a 42-24 record.
While every season-ending loss is painful, this one stung particularly hard for coach Kevin O’Sullivan.