HOOVER, Ala. — Nolan Fontana drove in the go-ahead run on a groundout in the top of the ninth inning to lift Florida into the Southeastern Conference tournament championship game with a 3-2 win over Georgia on Saturday.
Florida's Nolan Fontana is safe as the ball gets past Georgia's Levi Hyams on a ninth-inning steal attempt during the semifinals of the SEC baseball tournament at Regions Park.
Mark Almond/Associated Press
Fontana also hit a two-run homer in the third inning for the Gators (44-16), who will face Vanderbilt for the title.
Georgia (31-30) did become eligible for an NCAA regional berth by winning the first game 4-3.
In the decisive game, Florida opened the top of the ninth with a double by designated hitter Vickash Ramjit, who took third base on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Pigott.
Fontana then grounded to second base against reliever Craig Gullickson, but just beat the throw to avoid an inning ending double play.
Austin Maddox would move to the mound from first base in the bottom half. He ended the game by striking out Colby May with Georgia’s Kevin Ruiz on third.
