Alabama Secures Series Win Against Florida College Baseball in Final Game
The Alabama Crimson Tide won over a historic weekend with a dominant 14-7 win over the Florida Gators today at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The sweep marks Alabama’s first series win over Florida since Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s 2008 season, ending a 10-consecutive-series losing streak against the Gators. Florida led the game from the first inning until the bottom of the sixth, when the Crimson Tide erupted for seven runs to take control of the game, sending the Gators home with their first Southeastern Conference series loss in nearly one calendar year. The statement series not only snapped a long-standing drought but also signaled Alabama’s growing confidence against one of the conference’s most consistent programs.
Right-hander Ashton Crowther earned the win on the mound for Alabama, improving to 2-1 on the season as a strong relief pitcher who helped the Crimson Tide close out the series finale. Crowther and the Alabama roster were sharp on defense, and kept Florida’s bats silent after the Gators showed their resistance. With the series sweep now in the books, the Crimson Tide will carry its momentum into a pivotal stretch of the Southeastern Conference schedule. Alabama, now 18-7 overall and 3-3 in the Southeastern Conference, faces tough matchups against Auburn, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt. If their past performances can carry on an exciting series, Crowther and his teammates can look forward to more wins.
Florida Starter Russel Sandefer took the loss and fell 0-1 on the season after struggling to maintain Alabama’s powerful lineup in the sixth inning. The Gators held a deep lead into the game, but couldn’t keep up with the Crimson Tide’s battle back. Florida’s pitching staff has been one of the best in the nation this season, and Sandefer, along with his teammates, will have the opportunity to regroup with a midweek matchup against Florida State on March 24 before heading to Arkansas the following weekend. The Gators drop 19-6 overall and 3-3 in the Southeastern Conference, but their schedule moving forward gives them a chance to bounce back strong.
Florida outfielder Blake Cyr provided one of the few positive outcomes of today's game, with a home run to give some late-game offense. Cyr’s presence in the lineup remains a key part of what Florida will need going forward, and the Gators will rely on his bat to help their offense through a demanding Southeastern Conference schedule. The series loss surprises most after the program had won 10 straight series against the Tide, but with talent on this roster and Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan leading, the Gators are more than capable of more statement games. Both programs turn the page with an exciting remainder of the 2026 college baseball season ahead.
