Defensive issues reared their ugly head and cost Alabama another game and series as the No. 17 Crimson Tide blew another seventh-inning lead to lose to No. 7 Florida, 4-3 on Saturday.
After Alabama had rallied for two runs to take the lead in the top of the seventh, starter Jocelyn Briski went back in the circle to try and get the complete game and win. She induced a weak popup behind home plate for what should’ve been the first out of the inning.
Instead, Alabama catcher Riley Valentine dropped the ball, and gave Florida hitter Rylee Holtorf new life. Holtorf ended up walking and brought up the top of the Gator lineup…