The Florida Gators stayed alive in the SEC Baseball Tournament on Friday night, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 7-2. Gators' started Brian Johnson was fabulous, pitching a complete game to advance UF into the SEC semifinals. Johnson walked no one in nine innings, allowing just two runs on five hits. The Gamecocks got one in the bottom of the 9th, but with Johnson cruising, the result seemed well-in-hand.
On offense, it was catcher Mike Zunino who did plenty of damage with three RBIs. The Gators scored at least one run in each of the first three innings, and it was Zunino who gave them the 4-0 lead with a two-run shot in the top of the third. Casey Turgeon also added two RBIs, blowing the lead out to seven during a final rally in the 5th inning.
Florida will now move on to the semifinals for a rematch against Vanderbilt on Saturday. Vandy narrowly defeated UF, 2-1, on Thursday night.
For more on the Florida in the SEC tournament, check out Alligator Army.