Gator Softball Advances to Super Regionals

The second-ranked Florida Gators (53-8) advance to the NCAA Super Regionals for the sixth consecutive year after winning the Gainesville Regional. Senior pitcher Aleshia Ocasio led the Gators both offensively and in the circle to a 4-0 victory over Ohio State Sunday night at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

It is the 11th time in program history that the Gators are headed to the Super Regionals.

Defense

Ocasio became the first UF pitcher to throw a seven-inning no-hitter in the NCAA tournament. It was her third career solo no-hitter and her second complete-game no-hitter of the season. It consisted of 12 strikeouts and three walks. She said the hard work doesn’t stop today.

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Between the no-hitter and spectacular plays made by the Gator defense, the Buckeyes struggled to get on base. In the bottom of the fifth, shortstop Sophia Reynoso fielded a ball that bounced off Ocasio’s glove and sidearmed it to throw OSU’s Taylor Stevens out at first.

SEC Player of the Year Amanda Lorenz attempted to catch a foul ball over left field by jumping into the fence. It looked like it was about to be a home run for the Bucks, but Ocasio came back and struck out the batter.

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Offense

OSU pitcher Shelby McCombs had a no-hitter of her own working into the sixth inning.   However, she walked 11 and also hit four batters.  Despite the free passes, the Gators struggled to score runs.

In the top of the first, bases were loaded when freshman Hannah Adams was walked to score Kayli Kvistad. The senior’s run gave the Gators the 1-0 lead.

The team earned its second run when Ocasio’s RBI fielders choice to second base brought in Alex Voss. Jordan Matthews followed behind Voss but was tagged out at home.  To start the sixth inning, Jaimie Hoover tripled to right field and Lorenz drove her home on a double to left center. Lorenz is now 11-for-11 on the season with a runner at third and less than two outs. The Gators led 3-0.

Ocasio later hit a sacrifice fly that scored Lorenz from third base.

https://twitter.com/GatorsSB/status/998378641611476993

On Deck

The Gators will host No. 15 Texas A&M in the Gainesville Super Regionals at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium beginning Thursday. The team with the best-of-three will then advance to the 2018 Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.