Lightning strike delays Super Regional between Florida and Georgia

The Super Regional winner-take-all game between Florida and Georgia has been delayed by a lightning strike in the area. The game will be paused until all lightning has cleared the area for at least 30 minutes.

Lightning strikes within an eight-mile radius will reset the timer. But for now, the game is scheduled to resume at 6:28 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Florida led 1-0 in the middle of the fourth inning at the time of the delay. It will resume batting after the delay.

Florida built its lead early in the contest, taking advantage of some Georgia miscues in the bottom of the first inning. But it could have easily been a bigger lead.

The Gators got on the board after Kendra Falby walked after a full count, then stole second. Right fielder Taylor Shumaker then singled her in with a knock up the middle, making it 1-0 Florida.

The team had opportunities to score others after a single put runners at first and second with one out, and it appeared the Bulldogs might crack under the pressure. But Gators slugger Jocelyn Erickson lined into a double play at second base to take some steam out of the inning, and Georgia would escape it without further damage.

The game was headed to the bottom of the fourth inning at the time of the delay. Florida was set to bat as the home team in today’s game.

You can view the series history to date below. It’s been back and forth.

Florida vs. Georgia Super Regional Results

Game 1: Florida def. Georgia, 6-1

The third-ranked Gators jumped ahead with a 3-run first inning and never looked back as Florida starter Keagan Rothrock allowed just two hits with seven strikeouts in the complete-game effort Friday. Gators senior Reagan Walsh started things off with a three-run home run in the bottom of the first while Ava Brown went 2-fof-4 at the plate with a two-run home run in a three-run fifth inning.

Game 2: Georgia def. Florida, 2-1

Facing elimination, Georgia held Florida scoreless through the first four innings of play. The Gators cut the lead in half on a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded from Korbe Otis in the fifth. The Bulldogs would take a one run lead into the seventh inning. Florida put two runners on base, forcing Georgia starting pitcher Lillie Backes out of the game with two outs remaining. Randi Roelling who relieve her, and would shut down the Gators in four pitches to end the game. The series is tied at one a piece, forcing a game three on Sunday.