Gators Baseball Drops Game One Heartbreaker to Georgia

What began as a fireworks show at Condron Family Ballpark ended in heartbreak for No. 13 Florida, as the Gators dropped a wild 8-7 series opener to No. 4 Georgia on Friday night. After leading early and clawing back late, a two-run home run in the top of the ninth doomed Florida in a thrilling SEC showdown.

Final from game one.

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The Gators (18-6, 0-4 SEC) wasted no time getting on the board, with Colby Shelton launching a three-run homer in the bottom of the first. However, Georgia responded immediately in the top of the second. The Bulldogs capitalized on a bases-loaded double and a throwing error to take a 4-3 lead.

Boser, Heyman Shine at the Plate

Florida tied it up in the third with a solo shot from Bobby Boser. Then evened things again in the fourth on another solo blast, this time by catcher Luke Heyman. Heyman was one of the few Gators to find consistent success against Georgia’s arms.

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After trading runs in the middle innings, Heyman delivered again in the eighth, tripling home Brody Donay to tie the game at six. A sacrifice fly from Hayden Yost put Florida ahead 7-6, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Ninth-Inning Homer Spoils Gators’ Comeback

Reliever Alex Philpott, who had escaped a jam with three straight strikeouts in the eighth, returned for the ninth. After allowing a leadoff single, the Bulldogs drilled a two-run home run to retake the lead 8-7.

Florida had a chance in the bottom of the ninth after Shelton walked and advanced to third on a groundout and wild pitch. But Georgia closed the door with a strikeout against Donay to end the game.

Mixed Bag on the Mound

Starter Aidan King gave up five earned runs over four innings, including a four-run second. Luke McNeillie provided a steady hand with three innings of one-run ball in relief. Philpott took the loss, allowing the game-winning home run in his second inning of work.

“Every time we scored, we went out there and gave up runs, and lost our momentum,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “Our starters need to go six innings, bottom line.”

What’s Next

Florida will look to bounce back, and even the series in Saturday’s Game 2. First pitch is set for noon at Condron Family Ballpark.