Alabama avoided its first series sweep of the season, defeating Florida 9-6 on Friday night to even the three-game set and set up a decisive rubber match to close out the regular season.

The Crimson Tide (40-14, 16-13 SEC) rebounded from a series-opening loss to the Gators (36-19, 14-15 SEC) on Thursday, when Florida erased a five-run deficit for a 7-6 victory. On Friday, Alabama again built a five-run lead, scoring five runs in the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie. An error allowed two runs to score, and catcher Brady Neal delivered a two-out, three-run double to cap the rally.

Riley Quick struck out seven over five innings, allowing two earned runs and six hits to earn his eighth win of the season. Braylon Myers and Carson Ozmer worked in relief, with Ozmer weathering a late Florida surge in the ninth. The Gators scored three times in the final frame, highlighted by Bobby Boser’s two-run double and Ty Evans’ RBI single, but Brody Donay fouled out to end the game, sealing Alabama’s win.

First baseman Will Hodo added insurance with a sacrifice fly and a solo home run in the ninth, finishing with two RBIs. Six different Alabama players recorded hits.

Florida, which started the season 1-11 in conference play, struck out 17 Alabama batters Friday. Gators starter Pierce Coppola fanned 10 in 3.2 innings.

With the win, Alabama remains one of just two SEC teams not to be swept in a series this season. The Tide will look for their first series win in Gainesville since 1999 in Saturday’s regular-season finale at Condron Family Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.

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