Softball Falls To Alabama in SEC Tournament Semifinals

Friday, May 8

Lexington, Ky.

5 p.m.

Florida Gators

48-10

Alabama

49-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Florida	0	0	1	0	0	1	3	2
Alabama	0	4	2	0	3	9	13	1

Florida Huddle during the SEC Tournament

The Gators left 10 on base in the loss.

Softball Falls To Alabama in SEC Tournament Semifinals

Friday, May 8, 2026 | Softball

Box Score

By: Lauren Staff

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 3-seed Florida softball team (48-10) dropped its Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinal match up against No. 2-seed Alabama (49-6) 9-1 in five innings on Friday afternoon at John Cropp Stadium.

Despite drawing seven walks, the Florida offense was unable to get key hits with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 on base.

The Gator offense was limited to just three hits from Kenleigh Cahalan, Madison Walker and Townsen Thomas.

Thomas had Florida's only extra-base hit, her 12^th double of the season.

Leah Stevens, Olivia Miller and Katelynn Oxley each had time in the circle.

Stevens (5-2) who made her eighth start of the season, took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

HEAR FROM THE GATORS:
"Obviously, we didn't play very well today. I thought that offensively, we had plenty of opportunities and got on base a lot. We just couldn't get a leverage pitch with runners in scoring position. I thought our at-bats were good. Hopefully, we will be able to carry that into postseason play. We're going to have to play a little better defense and pitch a little better. This kid (Giulia Desiderio) jumped in today and played well at third base and had a couple of really nice plays for us. She hadn't played that spot all year long, so that was good to see there. I appreciate Kentucky. This was a good tournament. Obviously, with all the teams playing, the crowds were good and it was a good experience for our kids. This one here (Giulia Desiderio) is a fifth-year senior, so this was her last go. That part is good and we have to get better, obviously, but we will." – head coach Tim Walton

On leaving runners on base and how to fix that going into the NCAA Tournament…
"I think just practicing, which we do a lot. We practice live at-bats and having runners on all the time. We just have to focus a lot on that at practice this week heading into the postseason. That will help us." – graduate student Giulia Desiderio

UP NEXT:
Gators will now await their postseason seeding. The 2026 NCAA Selection Show is set for Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

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