Gators Softball Swept By No. 2 Texas In Doubleheader

Heading into the series against Texas, it was set to be an emotionally charged matchup. It’s the Gators’ first SEC series at home and against the team that edged them out for a spot in the 2024 Women’s College World Series championship series.

In their first rematch since the WCWS, No. 3 Florida couldn’t overcome the No. 2 Texas Longhorns at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

The team dropped the series opener 7-2 and fell 13-7 in Game 2 after a failed comeback Saturday. It is UF’s fourth consecutive loss to the Longhorns, who clinched the series.

Sunday’s tilt was moved up due to projected inclement weather. Game 3 is still scheduled for Monday.

Game One

What killed the Gators in the series opener was a lack of finish.

Though freshman Katelynn Oxley was shaky in the circle, her infielders didn’t give her much in terms of support, with most of the damage coming in the fourth inning.

Texas jammed the bases after an error by shortstop Rylee Holtorf, and Mia Scott took advantage, hitting a laser to right field to bring in two. Still reeling, Reese Atwood then mashed a three-run deep ball off of Oxley in the very next at-bat to put the Longhorns up by five.

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The Gators were never able to get their feet under them in the batter’s box. Though players were getting hits, they couldn’t string any together, ultimately leaving nine runners stranded over the course of the game. Only one of Florida’s runs was earned.

Game Two

Gators ace Keagan Rothrock has not pitched for the team since the game against Grand Canyon on Feb. 22. Florida (27-4, 2-3 SEC) had adjusted by expanding the roles of the other pitchers on the roster in her absence.

However, the team’s bullpen depth was put to the test when it was suddenly playing a doubleheader and there were no more arms left to rely on. Ultimately, it was inconsistent pitching that allowed what was initially a momentous comeback to slip through the Gators’ fingers.

Although UF managed to score two runs in the first inning, a three-run home run by Scott in the third wiped out its lead, forcing Ava Brown to the bench. Replacing her was Kara Hammock, who struggled immediately. With the bases loaded in the fourth, Hammock walked two and hit one, allowing the Longhorns’ lead to build to 6-2. She wasn’t on her game, but Florida had no other pitchers to use, with Oxley, Brown and Olivia Miller already having thrown on the day.

Unlike the first game, though, the team was unwilling to let Texas (28-1, 2-0) run away with the victory. A fourth inning rally saw Florida score five runs, a 6-2 deficit flipped into a 7-6 lead. As the orange-and-blue crowd roared behind them, it was looking like the Gators had a chance at an upset.

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However, Hammock’s shaky fourth inning turned into a shaky fifth and then a disastrous sixth. She bled run after run and there was nobody else to replace her. All Florida could do was watch as its lead slipped away.

Though Miller finally came in for Hammock in the final frame, it was too late.

Takeaways

Everything that could’ve gone wrong for the Gators went wrong.

Though some of it could be chalked up to bad luck, their performance still left much to be desired. Florida’s hitters were anemic in the first game, while it was the pitching that led to the loss in the second.

The Gators also committed four errors, three of those in Game 1.

Up Next

The Gators look to salvage the series Monday at 7 p.m. Game 3 will be broadcast on the SEC Network.