Gators Softball Set For SEC Matchup Against South Carolina

The No. 11 Florida Gators will be on the road this weekend to open a three-game series against the South Carolina Gamecocks. This is the first meeting between the schools since the 2021 season, when the Gators won two of three games.

.@SEC Series No. 3 Starts TODAY‼️ #GoGators

🆚 at South Carolina
📍 Columbia, S.C.
🕰️ 6 PM (ET)
🔊 https://t.co/BLVciVS99a
💻 https://t.co/lmTi9zJYxX
📊 https://t.co/awF3pyD92N pic.twitter.com/vBhJvZ2Ros

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 31, 2023

Series Outlook

This will be the third conference series of the year for each team. The Gators split their first two conference series of the season, taking two of three from Missouri and losing two of three from then No. 12 Arkansas. The Gamecocks lost two of three to then No. 14 LSU, and were swept by Mississippi State.

The Gators are looking to keep their momentum rolling after an 8-0, six inning midweek win over Stetson on Wednesday. Charla Echols, Reagan Walsh, Sarah Longley, and Skylar Wallace all homered for the Gators in the win.

Put on a home run clinic last night 💣

We tied our season high of 4️⃣ home runs in a single game! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/mg2W15gbZq

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 30, 2023

Gators Offense

The Gator’s offense has put up a .345 batting average on the year, good enough for first in the SEC and sixth in the country. Florida also ranks third in the nation in on base percentage (.451), fifth in scoring (7.59 runs per game), seventh in slugging percentage (.581), and third in walks (134).

Echols, Wallace, and Kendra Falby lead the offense, as all three have batting averages above .400. Walsh, Avery Goelz, Katie Kistler, and Sam Roe all have averages above .300.

Gamecocks Offense

Brooke Blakenship’s .421 batting average leads the way for the Gamecocks. Blakenship also leads the team in hits with 32. Riley Blampied leads the Gamecocks with 32 RBIs on the season.

What’s Next For The Gators

After the series with the Gamecocks, the Gators will welcome the Auburn Tigers to Gainesville. The three game series will begin at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on April 6, and begin a nine game homestand for the Gators. South Carolina will travel to Tuscaloosa on April 6 to take on No. 15 Alabama in a three game series.