Gators Softball avoids sweep

The Gators (27-5, 5-4 SEC) avoided a sweep with a 4-1 win over No. 15 Tennessee (22-9, 5-3 SEC) on Sunday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Let's Gooooo Gators‼️ #GoGators

Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/pB5ZEgEtMb

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 27, 2022

Recap

Florida entered the weekend as one of the top offenses in the country but struggled in the first two games. Notably, the Gators produced nine hits against the Volunteers and four Gators had multi-hit games in Sunday’s game. Skylar Wallace (2-2), Reagan Walsh (2-4), Cheyenne Lindsey (2-3), and Avery Goelz (2-3) had multi-hit games.

Florida was down 1-0 after two full innings of play after Tennessee’s Rylie West sent a shot over the left-field wall for a home run. But, the Gators responded in the third inning after Wallace drew a leadoff hit-by-pitch and stole second, for her 27th stolen base of the season. Senior Cheyenne Lindsey singled through the left side driving home Wallace to tie the score 1-1.

https://twitter.com/GatorsSB/status/1508159256557674499

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Wallace singled up the middle and then stole second base. Wallace is now (28-28) on stolen bases this season.

Charla Echols flew out to center field but was able to advance Wallace to third base, 60 feet closer to home plate. Freshman Reagan Walsh singled up the middle allowing Wallace to easily score from third and the Gators took the lead, 2-1.

B5 | @Wallace2Skylar with another multi-hit game and she also steals her third bag of the contest, which ties her career-high! #GoGators

She's now 28-for-28 on the season. pic.twitter.com/lMOejTycSA

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 27, 2022

Heading into the bottom of the 6th inning with the score still 2-1, sophomore Avery Goelz leads off the inning with a solo home run to center field, her second home run of the season. The lead grew to 3-1. Wallace walked and Echols delivered a double to score Wallace from first base. The Gators headed into the seventh with a 4-1 lead.

Right-hander, Elizabeth Hightower started in the circle for the Gators and finished after 4.1 innings with five strikeouts and only allowed two hits and four walks. Fifth-year graduate student, Natalie Lugo closed out the game pitching 2.2 innings with two strikeouts, one walk and no hits.

Up Next

The Gators have a busy week ahead. On Wednesday Florida returns to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium as they face in-state rival No. 23 UCF at 6 p.m. On Thursday, Florida will travel to Alabama as they face Auburn in a weekend series.