Aggies walked-off by Florida in penultimate regular-season ballgame

Game #50: No. 9 Florida 9, No. 8 Texas A&M 8 (8 innings)
Records: Texas A&M (39-11, 15-8), Florida (41-13, 16-7)
WP: Ava Brown (15-6)
LP: Emiley Kennedy (20-9)
Box Score

Despite forcing extra innings after erasing an early deficit, No. 8 Texas A&M came up just short, falling to No. 9 Florida in Gainesville on Saturday afternoon in eight frames, 9-8.

The Gators jumped out to an early lead.

After allowing a leadoff single, A&M starting pitcher Shaylee Ackerman yielded a run-scoring double to Korbe Otis. A pair of RBI doubles then stretched Florida’s advantage to 3-0.

Rylen Wiggins provided an immediate response for the Aggies in the second with a two-run homer — her 10th of the season — but the Gators kept on biting.

With no outs, Florida promptly loaded the bases, and Otis came back again with a grand slam as Ackerman was chased after only one inning of work.

The Aggies kept hanging on as Trinity Cannon smashed a solo home run in the third.

Following Ackerman, Emily Leavitt quieted the Gators, pitching five innings and only allowing one run on three hits while striking out five batters.

With two on base in the fifth inning, Koko Wooley singled, and a throwing error by the Gators allowed Jazmine Hill and Hailey Golden to score.

Quick speed and a second throwing error also let Wooley make it home to close the gap, 8-6.

In the seventh, Wooley’s two-run single tied the game, 8-8.

For the bottom of the seventh, A&M head coach Trisha Ford turned to Emiley Kennedy in the circle.

In the top of the eighth, A&M started strong with back-to-back singles.

Unfortunately, that was all they were able to muster.

With Kennedy walking one and allowing two singles, the Gators loaded the bases in the eighth.

Then Florida’s Jocelyn Erickson walked it off with a single to score Mia Williams for the win.

A&M closes the regular season on Sunday, hoping to salvage the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.