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Any concerns the UF softball team might be overlooking its weekend
series against South Carolina were silenced after the first two
innings Friday night at Beckham Field in Columbia, S.C.
The No. 5 Gators (41-8, 16-7 Southeastern Conference) were coming
off a heavily hyped series victory over Alabama but they managed to
send an early message to the cellar-dwelling Gamecocks (25-25, 6-17
SEC) en route to a 5-0 win.
After two innings, senior Stephanie Brombacher dispersed six South
Carolina batters with a total of 10 pitches, and Florida led 2-0
after Cheyenne Coyle homered to center field.
Florida's ace started opposite South Carolina redshirt sophomore
and fellow Pembroke Pines native Audrey Broyles. Brombacher allowed
just one hit over five innings, extending her season record to
16-1.
In what may be a sign of her role going forward, freshman Hannah
Rogers relieved the senior for the final six outs.
UF's offense failed to repeat one of its breakout performances, but
it remained steady enough to help control the contest.
Second baseman Aja Paculba broke out of her 0-15 slide when she
singled in the third. First baseman Megan Bush extended her SEC
single-season sacrifice fly record to eight, driving in a run in
the fifth after center fielder Michelle Moultrie extended her
career-long hitting streak to 17 games with a leadoff double to
start the frame.
Bush also tied yet another Francesca Enea UF single-season record,
picking up her 70th RBI of the season on a run-scoring single in
the seventh.
Florida's final three runs came off South Carolina senior April
Borchardt, who came in for Broyles to start the fifth.
The Gamecocks had no answer at the plate for the off-speed and
power combination the Gators have with Brombacher and Rogers in the
circle. South Carolina managed just three hits and only got runners
into scoring position twice.
A lone dark spot for Florida was the performance of designated
player Kelsey Horton. Coming off a fairly productive five-game
stretch, the sophomore accounted for all three Gators strikeouts on
Friday.
Florida and South Carolina meet for game two Saturday at 2 p.m.
