Florida Softball - National Champion 14 15

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3.8.2017

UF went 5-0 in the Judi Garman Classic. The Gators remained 1 and 3 in the two polls this week.

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3.15.2017

UF took 2 from Mizzou over the weekend; 6-0 & 1-0. The Monday night game was rained out and is cancelled for the season. I hope it doesn't happen, but cancellations like this sometimes affects the final SEC standings and the regular season SEC championship.

[Deleted]

3.15.2017

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Behind career-high afternoons from Janell Wheaton and Chelsea Herndon, the University of Florida softball team defeated North Dakota State University 13-0 in five innings Wednesday, March 15 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Junior Aleshia Ocasio (4-0) picked up the start in the circle for the Gators and combined with freshman Katie Chronister (2) to record the third-straight shutout and the 16th of the season.

[Deleted]

3.20.2017

Weekly Results & Combined No Hitter In Final of Series Sweep At South Carolina:

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Delanie Gourley and Aleshia Ocasio teamed for the fifth combined no-hitter in Florida softball history during a 10-0 rout over five innings to complete the sweep over South Carolina.



Gourley (11-1) threw four innings while Ocasio took over in the circle to finish the final inning Sunday at Beckham Field.



The Gators (26-1, 5-0 SEC) last combined no-hitter occurred on May 8, 2010 with the duo of Stephanie Brombacher & Erin Schuppert manufactured one against South Carolina (19-10, 1-5 SEC) in a 20-0 (5) blitzing in the series opener.



Offensively, the bats came alive in the third inning of play against the Gamecocks as Ocasio jump-started the inning with a single up the middle and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Justine McLean.



Freshman Sophia Reynoso, one of Florida's hottest hitters, belted her second home run of the season in the next at-bat to put the Gators ahead 2-0. The inning continued with walks drawn by Nicole DeWitt, Kayli Kvistad and Janell Wheaton to load the bases for the top RBI producer on the team, Jaimie Hoover.



Hoover, who entered the contest with 27 RBIs on the season, ripped a shot down the right field line under the outstretched glove of Kennedy Clark to unload the bases for a standup triple and a 5-0 lead.



Back-to-back one out singles in the fourth from McLean and Reynoso kept the Gators offense rolling and set stage for DeWitt's RBI single up the middle to push the lead out to 6-0. Lorenz extended her reached base streak and loaded the bases with her 22nd walk of the season.



Another Florida run crossed home plate in the following at-bat with a bases loaded walk from Kvistad. Hoover reached a new career-milestone for RBIs in the game and put the Gators up 9-0 with a two RBI single up the middle.



DeWitt produced her seventh RBI of the weekend on a bases loaded SAC fly in the fifth inning that scored Ocasio. Ocasio led the inning with a single to center field and finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate.



Notables

Hoover's 2-for-3 five RBI day is her seventh multiple RBI game of the season which leads the team.

The mark is also a new career-high for RBIs in the game and now sits with 32 on the season.

DeWitt wrapped up the series hitting .571 (4-for-7) with eight runs scored and seven RBIs via a double, two home runs, three walks and a hit by pitch.

Reynoso was 6-for-10 (.600) at the plate on the weekend with a double, home run, five runs scored and an RBI.

The Gators hit four home runs in the series against South Carolina and a total of 10 extra base hits.

 

Coaches Corner

On the Gators pitching this weekend on the road...

"I was really proud of our pitching staff; to only give up one run on the road, in the SEC, is an outstanding task to accomplish. All three pitchers just did a really good job of not only not making very many mistakes but just kind of commanding the tempo through the whole weekend."



On Jaimie Hoover's career day at the plate...

"Any time she comes up to the plate with runners on in scoring position, I think she has a chance to get RBI. So, I'm really proud of her for being able to have a nice day at the plate on a Sunday during an SEC weekend when your opponent has you scouted out to the max."

[Deleted]

3.22.2017

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Behind a two-hit shutout thrown by junior Aleshia Ocasio, the No. 2-ranked University of Florida softball team downed USF 8-0 Wednesday, March 22, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Today's afternoon matchup was the second contest between the two squads this season.

The Gators (27-1, 5-0 SEC) recorded their 19th shutout of the season behind solid pitching and a hardworking defense. The offense continued to roll as the team also recorded its third-straight and 11th run-rule victory of the year.

In the bottom of the second inning of play, Florida freshman Jordan Roberts broke the scoreless game open on an RBI groundout to USF shortstop Lauren Evans. Fellow freshman Jaimie Hoover set up the RBI opportunity with a one-out triple deep to center field.

Hoover produced her team-leading 33rd RBI of the season in the third inning after she drew a four-pitch bases loaded walk that opened the Gators lead to 2-0.

In the following at-bat, Roberts belted her first career grand slam as she sent a 1-0 pitch from USF reliever Cheyenne Eggens over the right field wall to put UF up 6-0. Roberts finished the night with a career-high five RBIs on the night and became the fifth different Gator to record five or more RBIs in a game this season.

Florida tagged on a run in the fourth and the fifth innings to complete the evening's scoring efforts. Janell Wheaton smacked an RBI single up the middle to score Nicole DeWitt to push the lead out to 7-0 and Kayli Kvistad drew the second bases loaded walk of the game to score Sophia Reynoso to end the game in the fifth 8-0.

Ocasio fanned four batters while not allowing a walk on 57 pitchers for her second complete-game performance of the season. She also went 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk drawn.

Notables
Roberts recorded her first career grand slam and a career-high five RBIs in the effort against USF. It was her fourth home run of the season, which is tied for the team lead.
Also the fifth different Gator to record five-plus RBIs in a game this season.
Ocasio extended her scoreless inning streak in the circle to 27.0 innings pitched.
She allowed zero walks in the complete-game performance and has only issued three walks on the season. This mark ranks her third in the country in walks allowed per seven innings.
Amanda Lorenz and Justine McLean recorded their 10th and eighth multiple hit game of the season respectively. Lorenz finished 2-for-2 with a pair of walks while McLean went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Lorenz (28) & Kvistad (28) extended their reached base streaks in this afternoons contest against the Bulls.
Jaimie Hoover recorded her third triple of the season and second in as many games and now leads the team in the category.

Coaches Corner
On Ocasio settling into a groove in the circle…
"She came in and threw the last inning of the game on Sunday and had a nice change of speeds, good command of her pitches and she showed that again today. She's commanding four or five different pitches and I just really like the way she has been able to come out and not necessarily set a tone but everybody is ready to play behind her because she likes to pitch quick and she likes to get it going." – Tim Walton

Up Next
The Gators will continue their home stand at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium with a three-game Southeastern Conference series against No. 4/6 Auburn. The series will start Saturday, March 25 at 6 p.m. (ESPN 2) and continues Sunday at 7 p.m. (ESPN 2) and Monday at 7 p.m. (SEC Network).

[Deleted]

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 2-ranked University of Florida softball team welcomes No. 4-ranked Auburn University to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium for a three-game SEC series March 25-27. This is the third consecutive season and ninth time overall that the reigning SEC Regular Season Champions and SEC Tournament Champions will square off against each other.

The series will be carried on nationally on ESPN 2 both Saturday (6 p.m.) and Sunday (7 p.m.) then will air Monday (7 p.m.) on the SEC Network. Mark Neely, Michele Smith and Amanda Scarborough will have the call.

[Deleted]

Game 1 against AU goes to the Gators:

Game Recap: Softball | Saturday, March 25, 2017 | Herb Brooks

Gators Walk-Off With Series Opener Versus Auburn

Next Game:
Auburn
3/26/2017 - 7 PM
ESPN2

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It came down to the final at-bat and aggressive base running as junior Nicole DeWitt provided a walk-off single to complete the comeback and give the No. 2-ranked University of Florida softball team a 4-3 win over No. 4 Auburn in the initial game of the series Saturday, March 25 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Alex Voss scored the tying run from second base while redshirt-freshman Sophia Reynoso raced home from first base for the go-ahead run. DeWitt's game-winning single hit off the outstretched glove of Auburn second baseman Casey McCrackin in shallow center field.

It is the third time this season that Gators have come from behind to win a game this season and the second versus a top-10 ranked opponent.

Florida (28-1, 6-0 SEC) opened the contest with an opportunity to score right away against Auburn (27-4, 2-2 SEC) in the bottom of the first as junior Nicole DeWitt ripped a one-out double passed center fielder Victoria Draper who was slightly shaded to shallow portion of the field.

An infield single by Lorenz put runners on the corners but Casey McCrackin corralled a sharply hit ball by Kayli Kvistad and turned the double play, which allowed the Tigers to escape the inning unscathed.

Auburn was poised to put the first run on the board in the top of the second but the nation's top-ranked defense shown through brightly with two outs. Kvistad raced after a dribbling ground ball from Draper and dived on first base to end the bases loaded threat.

However, senior Justine McLean, the number nine batter in the lineup, pushed across the first two runs of the game. McLean hit a high chopper of the tip of the outstretched glove of pitcher Kaylee Carlson and beat the throw to the bag all the while Wheaton and a streaking Aleshia Ocasio raced home.

The Tigers picked up a run in the fourth on a RBI single by Draper. Draper slapped a high chopper to a waiting Sophia Reynoso at shortstop, Reynoso short on time with the speedy Draper racing down the line barehanded the ball out of midair and made a snap throw to first. The throw not in time and McCrakin scored from third to cut down the Florida lead to 2-1.

Auburn tied the game early in following frame with back-to-back hits from Haley Fagan and Courtney Shea. Fagan singled to start the top of the fifth with a grounder up the middle while Shea doubled down the left field line.

Pinch runner Bree Fornis scored the go-ahead run in the same inning on a SAC bunt to Ocasio in the circle from McCrackin.

Coaches Corner

On the play of Justine McLean at the plate in her spot of the lineup…
"Justine has had some good at-bats. I'm really proud of the way she's played the game and you know kind of grown here in her senior year. Just really taking over that second leadoff spot in the bottom the lineup for us and hitting as hot as anybody we've had. I'm really proud of her and just her work ethic has been really solid too."  - Tim Walton

From the Players

On having the opportunity at the plate to win the game…
"You know you just go up there wanting to do whatever you can to win the game. I mean, I wasn't really trying to win the game. I was just trying to get a hit, and at least score that run and get us back in the game. It just so happened to play in our favor, and we came out with the win.  It was just great to turn around and just see your dugout just clear the dugout and come toward you. It's just a great feeling." – Nicole DeWitt

On responding with the team's back against the wall…
 "We talked about that. You know we're not really down in a lot of games. So when that happens, I think our chemistry breaks us through, like we all trust each other so much and we're all so close. So every person that goes in the box, there's no doubt in anyone's mind in the dugout that they are going get it done." – Justine McLean

[Deleted]

Gators take game 2 against Auburn 7-0 behind the 2 hit pitching of Kelly Barnhill.







GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida softball team clinched the series for the ninth-consecutive time against Auburn with a 7-0 victory in the second game Sunday, March 26, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The Gators have won every three-game series dating back to the 2005 season.



Sophomore Kelly Barnhill fueled the Gators (29-1, 7-0 SEC) to their 20th-straight victory behind a season-high 16 strikeouts. Barnhill limited a potent Tigers (27-5, 2-3 SEC) offense to just two hits, both of which recorded by Kasey Cooper.



Senior Chelsea Herndon was the main force behind Florida's nine hits. Herndon's presence at the plate produced multiple runs in a variety of ways as she drove in runs via a single up the middle in the second inning, a sacrifice fly in the fourth and a bunt single in the fifth.



The Gators jumped out in front early 1-0 in the second inning on Herndon's single up the middle of the Tigers defense, which allowed Aleshia Ocasio to score. Ocasio reached on a walk to start the inning and advanced into scoring position with her seventh stolen base of the season.



Herndon scored Ocasio for the second run of the game in the fourth via a SAC fly to left field. As the leadoff, Ocasio yet again found a way to produce and get on base. However, this time she ripped a double to gap in left center field for a double then advanced to third on freshman Jaimie Hoover's groundout to Casey McCrackin at second base.



Florida put up five runs in the fifth behind an all-around group effort as Nicole DeWitt, Amanda Lorenz and Kayli Kvistad recorded three-straight hits. DeWitt doubled to right center to start the inning and scored via Lorenz's RBI single. Kvistad pushed the Gators lead out to 4-0 with her sixth double of the season and scored Lorenz.



Lily Mann then entered to pinch run for Kvistad at second base and advanced to third on a SAC bunt from catcher Janell Wheaton. Mann later scored on a fielder's choice by Ocasio to extend the Gators lead out to 5-0.



Herndon capped the scoring with her squeeze bunt single that came to an abrupt halt in between four Auburn defenders and allowed a streaking Ocasio to score from third. Ocasio crashed into home plate umpire Pay Lyon and between the commotion it allowed Herndon to race towards second and Jaimie Hoover bolted for home for the final run of the game.



The two teams will meet for the series finale tomorrow night at 7 p.m. during Monday Night Hype. Fans are encouraged to wear white to tomorrow's game, which will also be televised on the SEC Network.  



Coaches Corner

On the decision to call the squeeze with Herndon at the plate…

"I just thought that the timing was right and the book said that Swindle liked to throw a lot of changeups. I guessed right and got lucky. She threw a changeup and it was a good pitch for Chelsea to bunt and we got a great slide from Aleshia at the plate." – Tim Walton



From the Players

On the offense producing to back Barnhill up…

"It's amazing. When your offense produces runs, it makes everything easier. It's really great and it gets you pumped up. They were just working really hard for me today, and I worked hard for them." – Kelly Barnhill



On the atmosphere by the fans tonight at KSP Stadium…

"The energy was great and the crowd was awesome. I mean I love walking out here and seeing, you know, the hills filled and all the stands filled and just the energy was great. When the crowd is up, we're up. And you know, coach was telling us in the dugout just keep the energy up, keep the energy up, and we were just having fun and that's all were trying to do. Coach says 'Don't make it work-like, don't come out here and try to just make it (feel) like working. Come out and just have a good time.' And it's softball, we've been playing it forever, so just come out and play the game you know how to play." – Chelsea Herndon



Notes

Aleshia Ocaiso scored a career-high three runs in the game.

Her previous career-high was two against South Carolina (March 19, 2017)

Kvistad's pair of walks in the game pushed her to 7th most walks by a Florida junior in a single season as she now has 40 on the year. Entering this week Kvistad led the SEC and the nation in the category.

The Gators extend their series win streak against Auburn to nine.

The last time Auburn took a series from Florida was the 2005 season.

Kelly Barnhill threw a season-high 16 strikeouts against Auburn.

It's also the most times Auburn has struck out this season (Last vs. Washington on Feb. 9)

The 7-0 shutout by the Gators is the 20th shutout victory for the team on the season.

[Deleted]

Damn it. AU won the last game of the weekend series 1-0.

Haley Fagan, AU's shortstop who once had two sisters kicked off the UF team in 2012, refused Tim Walton's high five which brushed her shoulder as the two teams congratulated each other after the game, pushed Walton from behind in the back, and then caused a verbal scene with Walton and towards the UF team. That bitch should be suspended from the AU team. It won't happen, but that doesn't change the fact she should face punishment by AU. This was so disgraceful and unacceptable conduct by Fagan that the SEC should step in if AU does nothing to discipline her.

UF took the weekend series 2-1, but Delanie Gourley pitched well enough to win giving up 3 hits, one being a game winning solo home run in the 2nd inning. I can't stand the coaching staff at AU so I was hoping for a UF sweep.

Box Score:



GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida softball team dropped a 1-0 decision as it wrapped up its three-game series against Auburn University Monday, March 27, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Senior Delanie Gourley (11-2) tossed a three-hit performance with 10 strikeouts compared to one walk in the effort.



The Gators (29-2, 7-1 SEC) saw its 21-game win streak snapped behind the performance of the Tigers hurler Kaylee Carlson (15-1). Carlson gave up three hits as well with only four strikeouts and five walks in the contest.



Auburn (28-5, 3-3 SEC) put itself on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning via a solo home run by first baseman Kendall Veach. The home run was only the second given up this season by the Gators, the first only prior to tonight occurred March 3 against then No. 7-ranked UCLA's Delaney Spaulding.



Florida's had a pair of scoring opportunities in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, junior Nicole DeWitt singled to Veach at first. The awkward rolling ball forced Veach into a wild throw to the bag and DeWitt raced to second base to lead off the inning.



Kayli Kvistad moved DeWitt over on a ground out to Veach, which allowed DeWitt to advance to third. Junior Janell Wheaton followed up walk and pinch runner Jaqui Switzer followed up ninth stolen base of the season.

Carlson escaped the one-out jam as she forced a pair of popups from Ocasio and Reynoso.



Florida reached base safely to leadoff five of the seven innings of play, three walks and two singles. Freshman Jaimie Hoover was 1-for-1 with two walks. Ocasio and DeWitt were the other two players to record hits in the contest.



The Gators return to action with a midweek contest against Bethune-Cookman March 29, at 6 p.m. inside KSP Stadium.



Coaches Corner

On the game and the team's preparation for the upcoming week…

"We  turn around and play Wednesday, so we'll take off tomorrow, light practice on Thursday then travel to Arkansas. We just have to get back and regroup ourselves a little bit. You got to love it though, the at-bats were good tonight, the defense was good, just one pitch - Veach did a good job on just the one pitch. We didn't execute when we were able to get runners in scoring position and we have to be able to hit a runner in from scoring position. That's the key." – Tim Walton

[Deleted]

The extended video from Alligator Army shows everything. Haley Fagan dropped her high 5 hand just as she got to Walton. As a result, he high 5ed her shoulder thinking her hand would be there. I'm speculating on this, but it looks like Walton was already looking for the next player's high 5 when it happened. It wasn't a shove as Fagan told her coach, it was a high 5 tap that she avoided and then caused an on the field stink. Fagan's behavior is unacceptable and she should be punished by the SEC if AU doesn't act to punish her:

www.alligatorarmy.com/2017/3/27/15082674/tim-walton-haley-fagan-altercation-shove-video-florida-auburn-softball

[oujour76]

Mar 28, 2017 9:14:17 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

The extended video from Alligator Army shows everything. Haley Fagan dropped her high 5 hand just as she got to Walton. As a result, he high 5ed her shoulder thinking her hand would be there. I'm speculating on this, but it looks like Walton was already looking for the next player's high 5 when it happened. It wasn't a shove as Fagan told her coach, it was a high 5 tap that she avoided and then caused an on the field stink. Fagan's behavior is unacceptable and she should be punished by the SEC if AU doesn't act to punish her:

www.alligatorarmy.com/2017/3/27/15082674/tim-walton-haley-fagan-altercation-shove-video-florida-auburn-softball

What's your preference? Lethal injection or firing squad?

[Deleted]

Mar 28, 2017 9:30:43 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Mar 28, 2017 9:14:17 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

The extended video from Alligator Army shows everything. Haley Fagan dropped her high 5 hand just as she got to Walton. As a result, he high 5ed her shoulder thinking her hand would be there. I'm speculating on this, but it looks like Walton was already looking for the next player's high 5 when it happened. It wasn't a shove as Fagan told her coach, it was a high 5 tap that she avoided and then caused an on the field stink. Fagan's behavior is unacceptable and she should be punished by the SEC if AU doesn't act to punish her:

www.alligatorarmy.com/2017/3/27/15082674/tim-walton-haley-fagan-altercation-shove-video-florida-auburn-softball

What's your preference? Lethal injection or firing squad?

Three game suspension from AU's upcoming home series with UGALY this weekend.

Tim Walton released a statement today in which he said he tapped her on the shoulder as her hand wasn't there, he had no intention to upset her, and he's sorry what happened detracted from a great weekend series.

It's in AU's court, but I wouldn't let Haley Fagan get away with that unacceptable behavior without punishment of some sort.

[oujour76]

Mar 28, 2017 14:25:26 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

Mar 28, 2017 9:30:43 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

What's your preference? Lethal injection or firing squad?

Three game suspension from AU's upcoming home series with UGALY this weekend.

Tim Walton released a statement today in which he said he tapped her on the shoulder as her hand wasn't there, he had no intention to upset her, and he's sorry what happened detracted from a great weekend series.

It's in AU's court, but I wouldn't let Haley Fagan get away with that unacceptable behavior without punishment of some sort.

Doubt if she gets suspended and would be surprised if anything happens to her. Frankly, it's pretty much a nothing incident.

[daleko]

Mar 28, 2017 14:25:26 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

Mar 28, 2017 9:30:43 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

What's your preference? Lethal injection or firing squad?

Three game suspension from AU's upcoming home series with UGALY this weekend.

Tim Walton released a statement today in which he said he tapped her on the shoulder as her hand wasn't there, he had no intention to upset her, and he's sorry what happened detracted from a great weekend series.

It's in AU's court, but I wouldn't let Haley Fagan get away with that unacceptable behavior without punishment of some sort.

Fagan did nothing worthy of suspension. He hit her, she reacted. Haley should have never turned around. Just kept steppen. He and the helicopter dad have a history, which is why he tanked her sisters. Nothing sandwich.

[daleko]

Mar 28, 2017 14:25:26 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

Mar 28, 2017 9:30:43 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

What's your preference? Lethal injection or firing squad?

Three game suspension from AU's upcoming home series with UGALY this weekend.

Tim Walton released a statement today in which he said he tapped her on the shoulder as her hand wasn't there, he had no intention to upset her, and he's sorry what happened detracted from a great weekend series.

It's in AU's court, but I wouldn't let Haley Fagan get away with that unacceptable behavior without punishment of some sort.

And if you don't think he was culpable, you're blind. ^5 involves eye contact w a nice job. He blew her off because he has an issue w the dad. The man needs some adult lessons.