GatorCountry.com · Mar 19, 2022
Gators survive late surge by Tide to win SEC opener
BT Riopelle swings against Georgia State on Feb. 26, 2022. GatorCountry photo by David Bowie.Through eight innings, it looked like the No. 9 Gators were going to coast to a stress-free win in their SEC opener at Alabama on Friday night.
They led 6-1, and, after receiving a dominant eight-inning start from Hunter Barco, they handed the ball to Nick Ficarrotta, one of their most trusted relievers. This game felt over at that point.
Then UF’s pitching and defense melted down and almost gave the game away. The Crimson Tide scored three runs off of Ficarrotta, one of them unearned, and put the potential winning run on base with one out against Blake Purnell.