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The Gators will host a NCAA Regional for the 14th consecutive year and the fourth time they are the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. The regional will be played starting Friday and features the No. 1 Florida Gators, No. 23 Florida Atlantic Owls, UCF Knights, and the Alabama St. Hornets.
Looking to cheer on @GatorsSB this weekend? @UF students get in free w/ their Gator1 starting tomorrow! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/1RATOsUFzf
— Gators Students (@GatorsStudents) May 19, 2016
The Gators (53-5) come in as the favorites this weekend to move on to the Super Regionals. Under Head Coach Tim Walton, the Gators have been absolutely stellar with a 27-6 regional record. Coming off a loss in the SEC semifinal, the Gators look to avenge their loss by winning the regional this weekend. The Gators come into this Regional, with a smothering bullpen they only give up an ERA of .9, the best in the nation. Batting for the Gators is a concern due to their inconsistency in the ability to score runs, with 17 of their games having scored 3 or less. They start their campaign against the Alabama St. Hornets Friday at 2:30 p.m.
The Owls (50-7) comes into Gainesville with a 21 game win streak. FAU won the Conference USA softball tournament, grabbing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. With a lights out bullpen of their own, the Owls have an ERA of a 1.17 (No.3 in the nation). Scoring for the Owls has been a struggle throughout the season only averaging 5.44 runs a game (No. 59 in the nation). The Owls are set to play the UCF Knights Friday at noon.
The UCF Knights (36-20) arrive to Gainesville after being knocked out of the American Athletic Conference tournament in the semifinal. The Knights bullpen is not to shabby as they allow an ERA 2.09 (No. 10 in the nation). Scoring for the Knights has been their downfall as they rarely find home plate, averaging 3.95 runs a game (No. 188 in the nation). The UCF Knights are familiar opponents to both the Gators and the Owls having lost to both. The Knights look forward to avenging their 0-2 loss to the FAU Owls.
The Alabama St. Hornets (28-25) come to Gainesville as the SWAC tournament champions clinching an automatic bid to the NCAA Softball tournament. The Hornets bullpen is going to be the biggest challenge for them this regional as they have an ERA of 4.26 (No. 194 in the nation). Though, unlike any other team in this regional, they bring a consistent batting team with a team batting average of .323 (No. 19 in the nation). The Alabama St. Hornets are a long shot in this regional and will play the Florida Gators Friday at 2:30 p.m.
This regional features three of the top 10 bullpens in the nation, two ranked teams, and the No. 1 overall seed. Each team is anxious to start the regional and advance to the Super Regional. With a regional field like this anything can happen and anyone can move on in the tournament. It all plays out this weekend in Gainesville ending with the final on Sunday.
