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The Florida Gator softball team outscored the Georgia Bulldogs 8-7 Saturday afternoon in a back and forth affair that allows the Gators to at least clinch the series against the Bulldogs.
No Time Wasted
After Lexie Delbrey hurled a pair of strikeouts in the first inning, the Gator offense had no trouble getting going. Skylar Wallace started the rally by reaching on a walk and stealing second base. Kendra Falby advanced Wallace one more when she executed a short slap up the middle. Charla Echols came up to the plate with runners on first and third. A couple pitches in and she smashed an RBI double to deep right. Echols scored both Wallace and Falby to put the Gators on the board 2-0. Reagan Walsh singled to score Echols and the team ended the inning up by three.
The Bulldogs barked back in the second inning. The team scored two on a first and third play. Catcher Sam Roe threw down to second base to catch Sydney Chambley stealing to force Sydney Kuma to head towards home plate. Unfortunately Kuma scored on a wild throw and Chambley advanced to third. Leadoff hitter Dallis Goodnight slapped a short fly ball to center field that scored Chambley to make it 3-2.
Skylar Wallace hit three home runs in Friday nights competition and added to the tally on Saturday. She went yard over the center field wall for a solo shot, giving the Gators the lead 4-2.
Oh Myyyyyyyy, Skylar Wallace!! #GoGators
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— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) April 15, 2023
It’s Not Over Till It’s Over
The top of the third inning went in Georgia’s favor. Kuma hit a three-run homer to put the Bulldogs ahead for the first time in the game, 5-4. Kuma scored Jayda Kearney, who walked earlier in the inning, and Lyndie Rae Davis, who got hit by a pitch. Georgia didn’t hold the lead for long though as the Gators scored in the bottom of the third.
The comeback started with a single from Pal Egan. Sam Roe reached to put Egan on third and Katie Kistler hit an RBI single through the infield that scored Egan and advanced Roe to third base. The game became tied at 5-5. Senior Bryn Thomas hit a routine ground ball to Georgia’s pitcher Shelby Walters, but a wild throw scored Roe and made it 6-5.
TIE GAME courtesy of Kistler RBI single scoring Egan!! #GoGators
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— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) April 15, 2023
Home Run Central
The fourth started with a Georgia home run by Kearny, scoring two and putting the Bulldogs on top again 7-6. The Gators couldn’t add any runs in the bottom of that inning, but the fifth was a different story. After a one-two-three inning by relief pitcher Rylee Trlicek, Avery Goelz knocked a two-run homer over the right field wall. Goelz scored Sarah Longley who had walked and that’s the way the game ended with the Gators getting the win 8-7.
Yes Ma'am Avery Goelz!! Her first HOME RUN of the season gives the Gators back the lead! #GoGators
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— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) April 15, 2023
One More Time
All three games are sold out at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, the first time in program history that it’s happened. Falby acknowleged the team’s support system and how her energy is impacted by the massive showings.
Though Florida took the series, the team will host Georgia one more time Sunday afternoon at KSP. First pitch is set for noon.
