It took a little bit longer than expected, but the preseason prediction made by UF coach Tim Walton has finally come true.
"She's going to struggle," he said of the expectations surrounding freshman pitcher Stephanie Brombacher. "She's going to get hit. She's going to give up some home runs."
Through the non-conference schedule, and at times in conference play, it looked as though he might be wrong about the freshman sensation.
It seemed as if she could be dominant without paying any dues.
Brombacher carried an ERA of close to 1, along with an undefeated record, into the rough Southeastern Conference slate.
As No. 3 UF (51-2, 21-1 SEC) prepares to host Jacksonville (21-37, 5-7 Atlantic Sun Conference) in a doubleheader Tuesday, her undefeated record is still intact (16-0), but the freshman has looked more hittable than ever lately.
In eight starts and nine appearances in the SEC, Brombacher has posted a 2.10 ERA and allowed opponents to bat .239 against her while throwing just two complete games.
For almost any other program, those numbers would be enough.
But for a team about to make a championship push, it needs the No. 2 starter to stay in the circle for as long as possible.
Junior Stacey Nelson (33-2, 0.71 ERA) has been better than advertised in her junior campaign, but there's one number that should cause coaches and fans alike some concern.
In the last two years as the ace of the staff, Nelson has pitched 545 innings.
After last weekend's series with Kentucky, Walton said he wants to rest Nelson when he can but has to go to her when he feels the game is on the line.
"I'm not going to worry unless she gives me a reason to worry," Walton said.
Recently he has used his No. 1 hurler extensively, starting her in two of the three games in a series and bringing her in to close the third.
"I've never really had any arm problems, knock on wood," Nelson said. "I feel strong right now."
If UF is going to capture an SEC title and make a first-ever College World Series appearance, Nelson is going to need Brombacher to help her shoulder the load.
"She's continued to make good strides for us and provide a good amount of inning lift," Walton said in a press conference Monday.
Saturday's performance against the Wildcats was the worst of Brombacher's young career.
Predictably, Nelson came in and saved the win when it looked like the game might get away from the Gators, the same way she has all season.
As UF turns the final corner and makes its stretch run, Brombacher will have the opportunity to return the favor.
The team will count on her to save Nelson's arm and, ultimately, the dream of becoming the first-ever SEC team to win a national championship.
