In
the pitching circle, UF's softball season has been broken into two
separate chapters.
One period featured Stephanie Brombacher leading the Gators to a
24-0 start and a No. 1 national ranking, yet ended when the senior
suffered a bicep injury on March 12.
A second chapter began when Hannah Rogers took the reigns and
became the Southeastern Conference wins leader as a freshman but
also stumbled during a six-game slide.
Against Alabama this past weekend, it became clear a third chapter
has started. With Brombacher back but admittedly "not 100 percent,"
and a more experienced Rogers in their arsenal, the Gators feature
a contrasting pitching tandem they believe they can ride deep into
the postseason.
"The duo is incredible," left fielder Kelsey Bruder said. "You saw
that the combination of Hannah and Stephanie really kept [Alabama]
off balance."
Bruder said the two pitchers build off each other, a process that
Rogers and Brombacher say is more mental than mechanical.
"We're just two totally different pitchers," Brombacher said. "It's
a little bit difficult, but I talk to her more about mentality
stuff."
According to catcher Tiffany DeFelice, Brombacher is a little more
methodical with her approach. DeFelice, who was Brombacher's high
school teammate at American Heritage, said the senior focuses more
on spin and changing speeds, but that "Hannah just rears back and
fires."
"Hannah has got decent speed, and she's got some nasty break on
some of her pitches," DeFelice added.
Their vast differences inside the circle keep their softball
conversations largely focused around confidence and how to approach
certain batters.
While teammates agree the two pitchers make each other better, it's
unclear how their appearances will be determined going
forward.
In the Alabama series, Rogers served as relief for Brombacher on
Friday and Saturday. While the freshman was slated to come off the
bench again Sunday, the veteran right-hander was throwing up at
game time, forcing Rogers to take the ball.
The result was a nine-inning, three-hit victory, Rogers' highest
profile start of her young career.
"I think that this weekend showed that if we have Steph back,
Hannah is just going to be that much more on her game," first
baseman Megan Bush said. "She was lights-out on Sunday."
For Brombacher, her continued improvement in the circle is about
regaining comfort after her injury.
"She's still trying to gain the confidence that she can throw her
pitches, and her arm won't fall off," head coach Tim Walton said
last Wednesday.
Bruder gains national recognition: On Tuesday,
Bruder was named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week. The
announcement came one day after the senior from Corona, Calif., was
named SEC Player of the Week for the second week in a row.
"It's a tremendous honor," she said. "I'm very grateful. It
couldn't be done without the girls around me, though."
