Florida Falls To East Carolina, Ends Postseason Run

Per SEC Sports: CONWAY, S.C. (Florida Athletics) — There is no mystery as to what happened to the Gators in their two losses to East Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

Starters Liam Peterson (Friday) and Pierce Coppola (Sunday) managed to record only 10 outs combined, with Coppola lasting into the top of the third inning Sunday before exiting an 11-4 loss that ended Florida's season. The Pirates advanced to face host Coastal Carolina on Sunday night in the Conway (S.C.) Regional.

Peterson lasted only 1 1/3 innings in Friday's 11-6 loss to the Pirates, and on Sunday, Coppola escaped trouble in the first inning after loading the bases with a walk, hit batsmen and a bunt single. Two strikeouts opened the door for his early escape. But in the second inning, a walk, two singles and a throwing error by third baseman Landon Stripling proved too much to overcome, even as Coppola struck out the final three batters of the inning. East Carolina scored two runs, and after Justin Nadeau's single scored Stripling in the top of the third to make it 2-1, Florida's momentum quickly stalled when Coppola walked East Carolina leadoff hitter Ryley Johnson in the bottom of the frame.

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