On the final day of the DeMarini Invitational the Gator hitters continued to tear up lesser competition, pounding out a combined 30 hits in run-rule wins over UC Davis (7-11) and Loyola Marymount (3-8).
The No. 3 Gators brought their record to 16-2 on the weekend, putting up at least 12 runs in each of their four games against losing opponents despite getting shut out by No. 10 Stanford (15-3).
Senior Francesca Enea led the way, going 9 for 16 with four homeruns (three of which were grand slams) and 14 RBIs in the tournament.
She now has 10 home runs and 34 RBIs, and is on pace for 31 home runs and 106 RBI in the regular season. The current NCAA single-season records are 37 home runs and 128 RBI set by Laura Espinoza of Arizona in 1995.
Enea also upped her hitting streak to 12 games, a career long.
“I really don’t look at numbers like that,” Enea said. “I had no idea (about the hitting streak), I just try and do what I have to do and come up with clutch hits for my team when they need me.”
Junior Megan Bush also performed well on the final day of the tournament.
After being left out of the starting lineup for the first time this year against UC Davis, Bush went 5 for 5 with three home runs and five RBIs as a pinch hitter and later in the nightcap.
The strong finish brought Bush’s average to .400 with 8 home runs and 17 RBIs in 16 career games in her home state.
“If I was sending a message I guess the message worked,” Coach Tim Walton said. “She responded very well and had five great at bats but importantly the move had more to do with (Freshman Samantha) Holle than it did with Megan Bush. I really wanted to give Holle an opportunity.”
Holle certainly took advantage, going 2 for 3 with a solo home run and an RBI double in her first-career start.
In the circle, Stephanie Brombacher threw 13 innings and gave up only two runs on the weekend, bringing her record to 12-2.
Freshman Ensley Gammel picked up the other two wins for UF.
The Gators will be returning to action Wednesday when they travel to Athens to open SEC play against No. 6 Georgia (18-1).
