Hannah Rogers had a busy weekend.
The junior right-hander entered the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic leading the Gators in innings pitched by 18 frames.
When Florida returned from Palm Springs, Calif., she led by 22.2 innings.
Rogers tossed 18.2 innings in three games for No. 4 Florida (16-1) during the weekend, including 11.2 innings in relief.
No other Gators pitcher threw more than 14 frames in the tournament.
Rogers’ first game of the weekend was similar to most of her other outings this season.
The junior struggled with her command but overcame four walks to escape Loyola Marymount with a complete-game victory, allowing two runs.
“(I’m) just making sure that I’m hitting good spots and trying to keep the batter from guessing what’s coming,” Rogers said.
The Florida scored eight runs for Rogers, who averages six runs of support per start.
“Your team’s hitting balls and scoring for you,” Rogers said. “It’s a lot easier to pitch when you’re ahead.”
Rogers did not start another game in the tournament, but she made her second and third appearances in relief.
Sophomore Lauren Haeger started Florida’s game against No. 6 Missouri on Friday but pitched only four innings.
Rogers came out of the pen to start the fifth and tossed 7.2 frames.
Although she took the Gators’ only loss of 2013, Rogers’ relief appearance against the Tigers was one of her best outings this season.
In nearly eight innings of relief, Rogers struck out nine and walked four.
She gave up two runs, but only one was earned.
Rogers relieved Haeger for a second time on Saturday against Georgia Tech and made another strong appearance.
The junior fanned five without walking a batter en route to her seventh victory in 2013.
Sophomore Alyssa Bache tossed seven strong innings against Syracuse on Friday and tied a career-best mark with nine strikeouts.
While Bache leads the team in ERA, she has tossed the fewest innings. Rogers, the staff’s ace, will continue to get the brunt of the work in the circle.
“She competes,” coach Tim Walton said.
“She makes pitches when she has to, and I’m very proud of that.”
Junior ace Hannah Rogers winds up to pitch during Florida’s 9-1 victory against UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers tossed 18.2 frames for the Gators at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.
