Gator Softball Hosts No. 9 Kentucky in First SEC Showdown of the Season

The fifth ranked Florida softball team (15-1) will host the ninth ranked Kentucky Wildcats (19-0) in the first SEC series of the year for both teams in a three-game weekend series. The Gators rebounded from losing to Florida State with a 10-2 win over Kennesaw State on Wednesday. The Wildcats still have yet to lose a game, although the Gators will be their first ranked opponent of the season.

This weekend will mark the third time the two teams have played for SEC Opening Weekend. The series will start Friday night at 6 and continue on Saturday and Sunday, with both weekend games starting at 1. SEC Network+ will carry all three games.

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In Florida’s run-rule victory over Kennesaw State, Charla Echols swatted two home runs for only the third time in her career. Cheyenne Lindsey also hit a triple in another multi-hit performance, and freshman Avery Goelz carried the middle part of the lineup with three hits.

Natalie Lugo earned the win in the circle, making her 3-0 on the season. Elizabeth Hightower (0.68) and Rylee Trlicek (0.88) lead the Gators rotation in ERA, and the team ERA is a sparking 1.13.

Florida is hoping to hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season on Friday, as Florida State did to the Gators on Saturday. The Seminoles defended their home ballpark, winning 7-2 over the Gators and handing Katie Chronister her first loss of the season.

But beating the Wildcats won’t be a simple feat. Gator head coach Tim Walton said Kentucky’s been playing good softball, so his team will have to be at their best.

Undefeated Run

At 19-0, the Wildcats are off to their best start in program history. Offensively, they lead the SEC in 10 of 12 categories, including batting average (.364), slugging percentage (.616) and on base percentage (.458).

Two Wildcats are hitting above .500 with Kayla Kowalik hitting .522, and Lauren Johnson hitting .517, which make for first and second in the SEC, respectively.

Most recently, Kentucky swept the Florida Atlantic University with wins against Pitt, FAU, Illinois State and Coastal Carolina.

Autumn Humes and Grace Baalman lead the Wildcats’ starting rotation. Baalman actually combined with Miranda Stoddard for a no-hitter, the Wildcats’ first since 2018. They’ll hope to continue their dominance in the circle against a potent Gator offense.

The Matchup

The Gators lead the all time series 52-14. The series will also be the first three-game series of two top-10 teams so far this season.

So, it’s safe to say that a lot of eyes will be on Gainesville for SEC softball this weekend.