In a game that saw multiple lead changes and ties, Alabama came up short, losing to UCF 8-7.
Greg Farone had a tough outing for the Crimson Tide, giving up six earned runs over four innings, including four runs in the first two innings. However, Alabama's offense struck back, with Kade Snell hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Solo home runs by Justin Lebron and TJ McCants in the third and fourth innings put Alabama ahead 5-4.
UCF took a 6-5 lead in the fifth inning with a pair of RBI doubles. In the seventh inning, Alabama tied the game with an RBI single by Lebron. The back-and-forth battle continued in the eighth inning when UCF went up 7-6 on an RBI groundout, but the Crimson Tide responded in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single by Will Hodo to even the score once again.
UCF scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning. Alton Davis II walked the leadoff batter, who advanced to second on a bunt and then scored on a two-out RBI single.
With the loss, Alabama will now have to win four games over the next three days if it wants to make it to the super regionals. No. 2 seed Alabama will face No. 4 seed Stetson in an elimination game Saturday at 11 a.m.
If Alabama defeats Stetson, it will face the loser of Saturday night's game between Florida State and UCF on Sunday at 11 a.m. Alabama would need to win that game and then defeat the Florida State vs. UCF winner on Sunday at 5 p.m. Alabama would have to beat that same team again on Monday to advance to the super regionals.
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