For the first time all season, junior Stacey Nelson did not throw a single pitch in either game of a doubleheader.
Taking advantage of the last break in the Southeastern Conference schedule, UF coach Tim Walton kept his All-American on the bench Tuesday, while a pair of freshmen shouldered the pitching load.
"Not having to throw Stacey Nelson today was a huge lift," he said.
Nelson came into the doubleheader with Jacksonville (21-39, 5-17 Atlantic Sun) having thrown over 62 percent of No. 3 UF's total innings.
However, as the sun went down over Pressly Stadium, it was freshman Stephanie Brombacher who used this opportunity to light up the visiting Dolphins.
In Game 1, Brombacher outdueled Ashley Iveson to a 2-0 decision, which saw only nine hits from both teams combined.
The Gators (53-2, 21-1 SEC) could muster only five of those hits, producing both of their runs in the fourth inning courtesy of a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly.
"We didn't hit the ball as well as we have to hit the ball this weekend," Walton said.
Despite the lack of run support, Jacksonville never really threatened UF thanks to Brombacher pitching her best game of the year.
She threw a complete game and did not walk a single batter in addition to logging the highest strikeout total of her career (nine).
"I needed it a little bit for my confidence," she said. "Just to know that I can go out there and throw seven innings."
The complete-game effort was her first since March 29 against LSU, which was also the last appearance that she didn't allow a run.
Freshman Kelsey Bruder got her first career start in Game 2, pitching 5 1/3 innings while giving up just two hits.
"She did well," Walton said. "She pitched well. She changed her speeds. She hit locations, hit her spots."
After becoming the third pitcher to earn a win in her first career start this season - Brombacher and freshman Kristen Adkins were the other two - Bruder pointed to her off-speed pitches as the reason for her success.
"Since I'm not an overpowering pitcher, it's really important that I keep that change-up there," she said. "It keeps batters off balance and lets me hit my corners better."
Bruder got into a jam in the sixth inning, allowing two Dolphins to reach base with only one out.
Walton came out to the circle, took the ball from Bruder and put in his closer with a 3-0 lead and the tying run coming to the plate.
"We're not going to lose these games," he said after the game when asked if Nelson was available to pitch.
But this time, it was Brombacher who came in and closed the door on any hopes of a Jacksonville comeback.
Feeding off back-to-back poor performances and the need to prove she can take the ball in close games, the No. 2 starter looked like an ace in the final 1 2/3 innings.
Relying heavily on her rise ball, she struck out both batters she faced, pitching the Gators out of a potential jam.
After the offense tacked on two more insurance runs to give UF a 5-0 lead, Brombacher followed up an impressive sixth with an improbable seventh: She struck out the side.
"That was as good as I've seen her look, right there, to close out a game," Walton said. "I was really proud to see her take her pitching to another level."
Before Tuesday, seven strikeouts was Brombacher's high for a single game.
In relief of Bruder, she had five in just less than two innings.
"I needed this to show myself and the team that I'm here for them and I can do it," she said.
The save was her third in as many chances this season.
Only one Gators batter had multiple hits in Game 2, as sophomore Francesca Enea went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, including a two-run home run in the first inning.
Enea leads the team with 12 home runs on the season and said she didn't feel any additional pressure with all three of her RBIs coming with two outs.
"I feel the most pressure for myself when I lead off an inning and I know I have to get things started," she said.
Even with the strong showing by Enea, it appeared Walton gave the offense the day off, along with Nelson, for much of the day.
The team's cleanup hitter admitted that the Gators can't have off days like this one against tougher competition.
"I'm glad we got it over with today instead of against an SEC team," she said.
