Gators Bats Propel Them to Big Win Against Houston

The No. 3 Florida softball team picked up its seventh run-rule win in a row by defeating Houston 11-0 Wednesday night. The Gators (24-1) extended their win streak to 11 straight with the win in Houston.

Gator grit 😤#GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/UGDUnAIf1h

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 6, 2025

Home Run Derby

In her usual fashion, Taylor Shumaker opened the scoring with a solo home run in her first at-bat. The freshman leads Florida with 12 home runs, which is tied for the most in college softball.

T1 | HOMER IN HOUSTON x @shumaker_taylor 💣

Gators 1 | Cougars 0#GoGators pic.twitter.com/ay3c5f8ILS

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 6, 2025

But, the home runs didn’t end with just Shumaker. With Florida up two runs in the third, both Reagan Walsh and Mia Williams blasted solo shots to center field to add on to the Gators’ lead.

Walsh homers are becoming a familiar sight. The senior hit four in Florida’s five-game stretch last week to earn SEC Co-Player of the Week honors.

Shumaker also contributed to the scoring in the third, hitting a two-run single to make it 6-0 Florida. And yet, she wasn’t done driving in runs. With the bases loaded, the freshman knocked a double to center field to clear the runners and improve the Gators’ lead to nine. It marked her sixth RBI of the game, a career high.

Yes, nine runs may seem like more than enough for most teams. But, the Gators were hungry for more. With a runner on in the fifth, Kenleigh Cahalan hit yet another home run, tallying four for Florida.

CHEF'S KISS 👩‍🍳 x @CahalanKenleigh

📺 https://t.co/gyACw3dBqh (ESPN+) pic.twitter.com/ee0Vs6Ev1U

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 6, 2025

Drop It Like It’s Hot

With the offense stealing the show, Kara Hammock couldn’t let them have all the spotlight. The senior spun it in the circle, picking up two strikeouts and forcing eight-ground outs in her four innings pitched. She proved why she is known for her lethal drop ball in this one. The Cougars had no shot of getting air under the ball, consistently hitting the top of the ball and driving it into the ground for an easy out.

B2 | leaves the Cougars scoreless x @karahammock #GoGators pic.twitter.com/6GnUeSWzIJ

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 6, 2025

Katelynn Oxley entered the game for Hammock in the fifth, making quick work of the Cougars in four batters to finish it.

Takeaways

Shumaker is one of the best freshmen in the country. She is a force at the plate and can crush any pitch at any time. Shumaker hasn’t hit a slump and is a consistent force in the two-spot for the Gators. An off day for her may just be a regular game at the plate for any other player. In an impressive lineup like Florida’s, standing out as much as she does proves how strong of a player she is. Apart from just her, the Gators bats aren’t going anywhere. Even coming off down games, which would be considered great games for a lot of other teams, the Gators know how to recover and come into a game strong. Heading into SEC play, it looks like slowing Florida’s lineup may prove to be an impossible feat.

Hammock also impressed in the circle. Coach Tim Walton has talked about improving her consistency all year and she definitely did that against Houston. Her drop ball is absolutely lethal and is a huge advantage for Florida when it has to face other big hitting teams. If Hammock can keep her drop ball at this level, the Gators have another weapon in their arsenal to stop anyone who gets in their way.

Up Next

Florida opens SEC play against No. 5 Texas A&M on Friday. The Gators will play a three-game series in College Station against their third ranked opponent of the year. First pitch on Friday is set for 7 p.m. The game is available on SEC Network+.