No. 3 Florida Softball Defeats UCF, 3-0

The No. 3 Florida Gators softball team defeated UCF 3-0 in a Sunshine State matchup Wednesday night at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

How it Went Down

The Gators (27-2) and the Knights (19-9-1) exchanged zeros in the first inning. Florida then a took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Jocelyn Erickson hit a solo homer to dead center field, her ninth of the season.

NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T 👋

📺 SECN+ | @joceyerickson pic.twitter.com/pqwi4A2sOp

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 12, 2025

The Gators went back to the long ball in the bottom of the third inning. Kendra Falby launched a solo homer to the opposite field for her second home run of the season. Falby also extended her on-base streak to 29 games and her hitting streak to 15.

“It was satisfying, because obviously they (UCF’s outfielders) weren’t expecting it,” Falby said. “I don’t think anyone was expecting it. But the coolest part was that it was my first home run out of the park at our field. So I’ve never had a home run over the fence at our field so that was really exciting for me. I had an inside the park home run here in my freshman year, but it was my first over the fence.”

A SLAPPER WHO DOES IT ALL 😤

📺 SECN+ | @kendrafalby pic.twitter.com/bpog47f1Zq

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 12, 2025

Falby recorded another hit in the bottom of the fifth inning, driving Kenleigh Cahalan home to extend Florida’s lead to 3-0. Falby is hitting a team-best .495.

“Honestly, my main focus this year is just getting on base,” Falby said. “It doesn’t matter how I do it … like I really don’t care. I just know that if I get on base, good things are gonna happen. I’ve just made my main focus, like I’m gonna only focus on this at bat right now.”

Florida starter Kara Hammock improved to 7-0, pitching 6.2 innings while giving up zero runs and just four hits with four strikeouts. Hammock has a 1.97 ERA on the season and has had back-to-back scoreless outings. Freshman Katelynn Oxley came in to relief Hammock to record the final out in the seventh inning.

“I think the biggest thing is just trusting people behind me and obviously the catcher (Jocelyn Erickson),” Hammock said. “Knowing that they are gonna make the plays behind my back and knowing that Jocelyn is going to be back there stealing strikes for me … it’s just a good feeling. We have a really good staff. It’s not one of us that’s gonna win a game, it takes all of us. So just trusting that if I can’t get the job done, one of the other pitchers can. The trust is the biggest piece.”

Hammock has stepped into a larger role this season with star pitcher Keagan Rothrock out with an injury. Rothrock, who is considered day-to-day, is trending in a great direction. She stayed back on the past road trip to Texas A&M for recovery purposes, including using the hyperbaric chamber.

“She was out doing some cardio stuff pregame and she threw yesterday,” Gators coach Tim Walton said.

The Gators lead the country with 58 home run and have had five consecutive multi-home run games, including 18 on the season.

“This offense is so dynamic and so fun to watch that the home runs are awesome, but you also got to be ready because someone’s gonna hit a double in the gap before you know it,” Falby said.

Up Next

The Gators will have a huge SEC showdown at home this weekend, starting Saturday at 2 p.m. Florida faces the No. 2 Texas Longhorns, who are 26-1.

“Texas is one of the best two teams in the country,” Walton said. “They are good in the circle … a lot of different arms, and the different arms aren’t just different arms, but they are different All-American arms. Good pitching, good depth … we’ve got a great matchup here at home. It’s SEC play against two top five teams again. It’s exciting. I’m excited for the players and the fans and the game.