Five Key Moments That Led To Florida Baseball Hosting Regionals
![Florida utility Wyatt Langford #36 reacts to scoring as teammates congratulate him in the dugout during the fifth inning Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville. The annual game, Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown, between the Florida State Seminoles and the University of Florida Gators, resumed after two year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Florida downed Florida St. 6-3. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Jki 033122 Uffsubaseball 23](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F2a4e13f79d8001096ec3a2011883df9fb3d766bb1ac0d454c72fadb4b247957c.jpg "Florida utility Wyatt Langford #36 reacts to scoring as teammates congratulate him in the dugout during the fifth inning Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville. The annual game, Fresh From Florida Sunshine Showdown, between the Florida State Seminoles and the University of Florida Gators, resumed after two year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Florida downed Florida St. 6-3. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Jki 033122 Uffsubaseball 23")
The Florida Gators baseball team at one point looked like is was going to struggle to even make the NCAA Tournament. After being swept by Tennessee in April, the Gators rallied to win 16 of their final 21 games and capped off this run with an appearance in the SEC Championship game.
The Gators were rewarded for this run with a national seed in the NCAA tournament, 13th overall, and the right to host regionals this weekend against Central Michigan, Liberty, and Oklahoma.
The following are five key moments from the regular season that helped propel Florida to this point.
March 22 – Jud Fabian 7th inning home run Vs Bethune Cookman
The Gators found themselves down 2-0 against Bethune Cookman after three innings. Florida was looking sluggish with just two hits through three innings and even allowed BCC to score a run after stealing home.
Gators were still down 2-1 in the 5th when Fabian hit a solo home run to tie it at 2.
Then in the 7th, with the score still tied at 2, Fabian hit another solo shot to put the Gators ahead and help them avoid a crushing early season loss.
April 9 – Deric Fabian Sac Fly In 8th Inning Vs Arkansas
Florida’s season was starting to sputter as April began. The Gators were 20-11 and only 4-7 in SEC play when they took on #2 ranked Arkansas in April.
After splitting the first two games Florida jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the rubber match before the Razorbacks clawed back.
With the score tied at 7 in the bottom of the 8th, Deric Fabian hit a sac fly to score Josh Rivera to take the lead. Gators would add one more insurance run take the series with a 9-7 victory.
May 7 – Ryan Slater Gets Save Vs Mississippi State
Gator baseball was still having an up and down season heading into May. On May 6 vs Mississippi State, the Gators seemed to be on their way to a comfortable victory.
Through 7 innings Florida was up 8-2. That quickly disappeared and in the 8th inning Mississippi State and brought it back to 8-6 and had runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs.
Slater came on in the 8th, got a pop out on his first pitch to end the threat, then navigated the 9th inning to get his third save of the season.
May 17 – Sterlin Thompson Walkoff Home Run vs Florida State
After both teams had offensive explosions to start the game, the Gators and Seminoles were tied at 5 from the 5th inning all the way into the 9th.
Thompson’s two run blast in the 9th gave Florida the 7-5 win and clinched the season series against Florida State.
May 24 – Colby Halter Walkoff Sac Fly Vs South Carolina
After getting swept by Tennessee, the Gators had a furious finish to the season going 16-5.
This momentum was showcased at the SEC tournament and the Gators probably wouldn’t be hosting this weekend if it wasn’t for a good showing in Hoover.
Given the format of the SEC tournament, the Gators opening game vs South Carolina was a single elimination game.
Florida survived and kick started their run to the SEC title game with an extra inning win vs the Gamecocks. Colby Halter’s fly ball to centerfield allowed Ty Evans to sprint home from 3rd and give the Gators the 2-1 win.
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