Florida hit five home runs in its five inning, 17-4 thumping of Texas A&M on Saturday, but one stood out more than the others.
Shortstop Kathlyn Medina, who only had two home runs in her career heading into the game against the Aggies (29-16, 9-11 Southeastern Conference), belted out a grand slam to left-center field to cap off the Gators’ (39-8, 10-7 SEC) 11-run second inning in College Station, Texas.
Florida posted 16 hits — on 31 at-bats on Saturday one day after going .310 at the plate to open up the series against Texas A&M.
The Gators came out quick with a Kirsti Merritt two-run homer to right-center field, giving UF a 2-0 advantage before an out was recorded.
After freshman left-hander Delanie Gourley retired Texas A&M in the bottom of the first frame, Florida’s offense became a juggernaut.
In the second inning, the Gators scored on a three-run home run by Taylore Fuller, a two-RBI double by Stephanie Tofft, a Briana Little lineout, a Taylor Schwarz single up the middle and Medina’s grand slam — UF’s seventh of the season.
Florida’s 11 runs in the second inning were more than it scored in each of its past 26 contests, and its 17 runs in the contest were the most UF scored in an SEC contest since plating 18 against Ole Miss on March 19, 2011.
“I think they’ve done a good job so far in the two games (of this series) of sticking with the game plan as they step into the box,” coach Tim Walton said in a release. “What I like most is we’ve had a lot of productive at-bats—a lot of good hits, but also a lot of productive outs. I think that’s the key to being able to manufacture runs.”
Gourley earned her 13th win of the season on Saturday. In four innings, the Lakeside, Calif., native five hits and three runs — all earned — while striking out four batters and walking only two. All three of the runs Gourley surrendered came off home runs — a two-run shot by catcher Nicole Morgan in the third inning and a solo shot by Aggies first baseman Jenna Stark to lead off the fourth frame.
In an inning of relief, Haeger gave up one run — a solo shot to center field by Texas A&M right fielder Cassie Tysarczyk.
“Solo home runs don’t beat you typically,” Walton said. “We’ll give up home runs and we’ll give up walks, but we just can’t give them up in consecutive fashion.”
Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
