Tim Walton is always the first person at Pressly Stadium.
But when Florida’s coach showed up at a time he could only describe as “early, early” before Saturday’s noon contest against Tennessee, he was not alone.
In the batting cage was Megan Bush — Southeastern Conference career home run queen and current owner of a five-game hitless slide.
“The only way I know how to get out of a slump is to keep hitting and keep working and seeing more pitches,” the senior first baseman said. “I think that’s what it’s all about.”
Since knocking her 20th homer of the season against Alabama on April 23, Bush is 2 for 25. After equaling the UF single-season home run record, the senior has gone eight games without a long ball, her longest drought of the year.
During the eight-game skid, Bush has been pull-heavy, rolling over a number of pitches to the left side and striking out eight times. Her batting average has dropped from .406 to .354.
With the first baseman’s college career coming to a close, Walton admits Bush is trying too hard. With three College World Series appearances without a national title, Walton said the pressure is weighing on Bush as her final postseason begins.
“It’s coming down to the end, and it’s the last season,” Bush said. “I think that if I didn’t put everything I could — all of my time into it — then I’d be really disappointed when I left here.”
She has also been affected by an NCAA decision that initially hurt nearly half of the Gators lineup.
On April 29, the NCAA banned the Easton Synergy Speed that Florida, Georgia and others used, resulting in players frantically searching for a new bat that fits their swings.
Bush has accounted for 20 outs since the ban. Of those outs, 10 have come to the left side of the field and four others are strikeouts. The righty has only hit the ball to the right side of the field twice in seven games.
“I probably tried close to 30 bats [Monday],” Bush said. “I know what I’m looking for now. I know what length. I know what weight.”
The senior from Anaheim Hills, Calif., refuses to blame the bats for her slump and said she is not willing to “change too much” to break out of it.
Bush is hoping for a fresh start during postseason play, and the senior will get her first chance today when Florida (47-8, 21-7 SEC) open sthe SEC Tournament against Auburn (38-16, 15-13 SEC) at 2:30 p.m in Oxford, Miss.
GatorS NAB SEC accolades: The SEC released its awards Wednesday, and the list was loaded with Gators. Kelsey Bruder was honored as Player of the Year. The senior left fielder was also one of three First Team All-SEC selections — along with Brittany Schutte and Bush.
Hannah Rogers, Michelle Moultrie and Aja Paculba were second-team selections. Rogers also made the All-Freshman team along with shortstop Cheyenne Coyle. Walton shared Coach of the Year honors with LSU head coach Yvette Girouard.
