Since Florida’s road sweep against Texas A&M last weekend — a series that saw the Gators bat .400 as a team — one phrase is circling around the team: hitting is contagious.
“It sounds cliché at this point, but it really is,” sophomore Aubree Munro said. “When you start seeing people hitting the ball like that off the wall, even balls that just fall in, you see it happening and you want to be a part of it.”
That notion held true on Wednesday, when No. 3 UF (41-8, 11-7 Southeastern Conference) posted an 11-run rally with two outs in the second inning to topple USF (33-18, 7-5 American Athletic Conference) 17-1 in five innings to extend its winning streak to 10 games. All of Florida’s starters logged at least one hit, one run and one RBI in the contest.
As a team, UF posted a single-game season-high .556 clip at the plate — its third game with a batting average of at least .500 during the win streak and the fifth contest with the mark this season.
“I thought we played some good team softball,” coach Tim Walton said. “It’s important, especially this time of year.”
After the Gators took a 2-1 lead in the first inning, they struggled to start the second frame against the Bulls. Munro flied out to right field and Kathlyn Medina hit a groundout to third base to give UF two quick outs. Kelsey Stewart shifted the momentum by hitting a single to right field and stealing second base.
Kirsti Merritt then started the rally.
With a 2-0 count, the sophomore center fielder hit a home run — her 10th of the season — to center field off of USF pitcher Erica Nunn to bring UF to a 4-1 lead.
After Merritt’s home run, Florida scored nine additional runs in the second frame after accruing six additional hits, two walks and two hit by pitches.
“It was amazing,” Merritt said. “We feed off each other every time, so to do it with two outs, it was kind of cool.”
Merritt finished the game 3 for 3 at the plate with a team-high and a career-high-tying five RBIs.
While UF was able to dominate on offense, Hannah Rogers neutralized USF at the plate.
After giving up a first-inning home run to South Florida shortstop Kourtney Salvarola, the senior right-handed pitcher gave up just one hit in the ensuing four innings. In her 16th complete game of the season, Rogers struck out four of the 20 batters she faced while throwing just 81 pitches.
The Lake Wales native said that having a big lead early puts ease on her in the circle.
“When your team can score that many runs, it just allows you to go out and pitch and have fun and just work on things, too, that maybe you don’t get to work on so much in the games,” Rogers said.
During the Gators’ 10-game win streak, Rogers has pitched 45 of UF’s 62 innings, posting a 0.93 ERA and 33 strikeouts while throwing six complete games in the process.
“We worked hard in the offseason, so now it’s paying off,” the senior said. “It’s helping our bodies, so now we’re able to go for long periods of time and are able to keep pushing our bodies.”
Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
Kirsti Merritt bats during UF's 17-1 win against USF on April 23 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida's 17-1 win against USF on Wednesday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The senior right-handed pitcher gave up just two hits in her 16th complete game of the season.
