BT Riopelle does it again: Florida catcher hits grand slam as part of 2 HR night to lift Gators over Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament
BT Riopelle isn’t going to want to leave Hoover, Alabama. The Florida catcher has hit 3 home runs in 2 games of the SEC Tournament.
Riopelle has delivered the winning runs for Florida in each of its tournament games. After a walk-off 3-run homer in extra winnings Wednesday, Riopelle hit a grand slam on Thursday night to lift the Gators over Vanderbilt.
But first, Riopelle’s other homer. It was a 1-1 game in the bottom of the 4th inning when Riopelle hit a solo shot, his second homer of the tournament, to put UF up 2-1.
This is BT’s town.#GoGators // ? SEC Network pic.twitter.com/zRBa2K32j1
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) May 26, 2023
Vanderbilt tied it up 2-2 in the top of the 5th inning. It remained a 2-2 game until the 7th inning. Riopelle broke the tie with a grand slam, crushing the ball to the opposite field.
BT STANDS FOR BIG TIME ⌚#GoGators // ? SEC Network pic.twitter.com/YiZdiHuSaE
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) May 26, 2023
Florida pitching held on for a 6-3 win. UF starter Brandon Sproat went 6 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits while logging 6 strikeouts over 98 pitches. It was Ryan Slater in relief (1.1 IP, H, ER, 2 K) who recorded the win. Philip Abner picked up a save.
The Gators are off Friday, having secured a spot in Saturday’s semifinals.