Gator Softball Falls in SEC Semis, But Earn No. 1 Overall Seed in NCAA

The Florida Gator softball team fell to the Auburn Tigers in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament 2-1 on Friday.

While both teams entered the matchup averaging more than six runs per game it was a battle on the mound, as both teams combined for only three runs and 11 hits.

Auburn struck right away with their only two runs of the game coming in the top of the first with a two-run home run from Carlee Wallace.

Freshman Kelly Barnhill (15-1) got the start on the mound for the Gators but only threw two innings with one strikeout, allowing two runs before junior Delanie Gourley came in for relief, recording just one hit in five shutout innings.

The Gator’s lone run of the game came in the bottom of the seventh inning from Nicole DeWitt with a single from Aleshia Ocasio paired with an Auburn miscue. Florida missed another opportunity to score in the inning when Kelsey Stewart started off the fifth with an infield single, followed by a double from freshman Amanda Lorenz. With both runners in scoring position and no outs, Florida blew their chance to score after Kayli Kvistad grounded out and Kristi Merritt hit into a double play to end the inning.

For the second straight year, Auburn went on to capture the SEC tournament trophy after defeating LSU in the Championship 7-1 on Saturday.

Back-to-back SEC Champs, congrats @Auburn_Softball! #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/GQrcaRxr1T

— AuburnPix (@AuburnPix) May 15, 2016

While the Gators didn’t take home the trophy this year, they did manage to earn the No. 1 overall seed in the 2016 NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history. The Gators will host the NCAA Regional for the 14^th consecutive season, which will run Friday thru Sunday in a double-elimination format.

That No. 1 seed smile :) #RoadtoWCWS #D1Softball pic.twitter.com/PQpTr17clh

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) May 16, 2016

The Orange and Blue is 32-18 all-time in NCAA Regional play, and will begin this year’s regional on Friday against Alabama State slotted for 2:30 p.m., proceeding the completion of Florida Atlantic vs. UCF set for noon.

ICYMI: The 2016 #D1softball field of 64 was revealed last night: https://t.co/flg9ZerhxS pic.twitter.com/k2z7k85fuP

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 16, 2016

The winner of the Gainesville Regional will advance to a Super Regional against the winner of the Athens Regional, which features No. 16 seed and host Georgia, Maine, Northwestern, and Oklahoma State. The highest remaining seed will host the Super Regional beginning May 26.