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Thursday, March 28, 2024
<p>Aleshia Ocasio pitches during Florida's 4-1 win against Illinois State on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.</p>

Aleshia Ocasio pitches during Florida's 4-1 win against Illinois State on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Aleshia Ocasio may be a freshman, but she has no problem pitching against ranked teams.

Ocasio, who beat No. 8 Michigan on Feb. 7 by tossing a complete-game victory, went the distance once again as No. 1 Florida downed No. 17 UCF 2-1 Wednesday night at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Florida is now a perfect 17-0 to start the season.

In her fourth start of the season, Ocasio tossed all seven innings, giving up one run while striking out eight and giving up three hits as she improved to 5-0 on the season.

"If she can give up one run every time she goes out and pitches, we got a good chance to win, so I’m gonna give her a lot of credit," coach Tim Walton said. "She’s really talented."

The Gators threatened early in the bottom of the first inning after UCF pitcher Shelby Turnier issued two hit-by-pitches and a walk to load the bases. But with two outs, freshman Nicole DeWitt struck out swinging to end the threat.

Florida scored its first run after junior Kirsti Merritt lined a double to lead off the bottom of the third inning and later scored from third base on an illegal pitch from Turnier.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Kelsey Stewart pushed the score to 2-0 with a two-out line-drive single to left field that scored Taylor Schwarz from second base.

Stewart finished the game 1-3 and recorded Florida’s only RBI. The junior struck out in her first two at-bats but said she changed her approach during her third at-bat.

"I had a talk with coach and some of the other girls in the dugout and I made a better adjustment," Stewart said.

The Knights had the Gators on their heels in the top of the sixth when Schwarz misplayed a ground ball at first base and UCF’s Linnea Goodman chopped a single up the middle with one out. After a sacrifice bunt that moved the runners over, Ocasio was able to escape the jam by enticing Jessica Ujvari to fly out to right field in foul territory.

Ocasio’s only blemish came on a solo home run to UCF catcher Kalyn Cenal in the top of the seventh inning that cut UF’s lead in half. But the St. Cloud native regrouped and retired the next two batters to seal the win.

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"Home runs happen," Ocasio said, "so it was my job to just deliver hope onto my team and stay calm and just get more outs and bounce back."

Florida only managed three hits off Turnier, who came into the game 7-1 with a 0.70 ERA and 77 strikeouts through 50 innings.

The Gators will head to San Diego to play a doubleheader against No. 2 Oregon and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Friday as part of the San Diego Classic I. The two games will mark the beginning of UF’s 11 game stretch in California.

 Follow Patrick Pinak on Twitter @Pinakk12

Aleshia Ocasio pitches during Florida's 4-1 win against Illinois State on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

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