HOOVER, Ala. — Nolan Fontana drove in the go-ahead run on a groundout in the top of the ninth inning to lift Florida into the Southeastern Conference tournament championship game with a 3-2 win over Georgia on Saturday.

Fontana also hit a game-tying two-run homer in the third inning for the Gators (44-16), who will face Vanderbilt in seeking their first SEC tournament title since 1991.

It took 18 innings and a pair of one-run games Saturday to make it.

"It was a long, hot day," Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "It was a frustrating day. It was an emotional day."

It began with the Gators walking over before the opener to greet injured Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor, attending his second game since a neck injury in March.

Two outs in, Florida pitcher Brian Johnson took a thrown ball to the back of his head, leaving him lying on his back for several minutes with what a Florida spokesman later said was a mild concussion, according to a Florida spokesman.

By winning the first game 4-3, Georgia (31-30) became eligible for an NCAA regional berth, which coach David Perno called "really special for our program."