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South Alabama baseball blasts Florida out of NCAA Tournament in improbable fashion

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

One of the preseason favorites is out of the NCAA Tournament after an incredible performance from South Alabama.

With both teams facing elimination, South Alabama and Florida squared off in the Gainesville Regional. Despite playing at home, the Gators Friday’s regional opener and fell flat in Saturday’s elimination game.

Instead, it was the visiting Jaguars that went on an incredible and improbable sixth-inning run. It was then that South Alabama recorded 10 two-out hits to plate 10 runs in the frame, building a lead that the Jaguars had no intentions of giving back.

Shortstop Santi Montiel was one of three Jaguar players to score three runs and also led the team with five RBI. Third baseman Cameron Tissue added three hits, a home run, and four RBI.

On the mound, Miles Smith went six strong innings while surrendering one run with five strikeouts. South Alabama will move on to Sunday as Florida is eliminated in two games after earning a bid as a host site.

Fellow SEC team LSU is also trying to avoid an early exit. The Tigers lost to Gonzaga Friday evening and are locked in a 5-all battle with Central Connecticut State in an elimination game.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.