TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — From the first inning on, Sunday afternoon was a mess for the Alabama defense.
The Crimson Tide had two of its six errors on the day in the first on the way to a 11-2 run-rule loss to Florida as the Gators take the series in Tuscaloosa.
Jaala Torrence got the start in the circle for the Crimson Tide and induced ground balls from Florida’s first two dynamic batters in Kendra Falby and Skylar Wallace. But Bailey Dowling bobbled both balls at third base, allowing the Gators to reach. Florida scored two unearned runs to go up 2-0, and that wouldn’t be the end of it.
No. 13 Florida (21-3, 2-0 SEC) tacked on seven runs in the fifth inning thanks to three more errors from the Alabama defense, sending 11 batters to the plate.
No. 10 Alabama’s (19-3, 0-2 SEC) best offensive chance came in the third inning when it had the bases loaded with no outs for the heart of the order after infield singles from Kristen White and Lauren Johnson and a walk from Jenna Johnson. Alabama scored its two runs on a fielder’s choice and groundout. No one could get a hit with a runner in scoring position.
