Briana Little struggled in limited playing time in 2012, hitting just .188 in 35 games. She hit only one home run in 32 at-bats.
Through 27 games in 2013, Little has quickly surpassed those marks. In victories against No. 4 Alabama and Auburn during the weekend, Little hit .667 with a home run and four RBI.
The Southeastern Conference named her the league’s player of the week for her efforts.
"She had one of the best weeks she’s had in her whole entire career," coach Tim Walton said.
Little got on base the hard way against the Tigers. She was hit by three pitches during the three-game series, including two in Florida’s 2-0 victory on Sunday. Little did not record an official at-bat, as she drew a walk in her only other plate appearance.
"I just felt they tried to work around me the best way they could," Little said.
The Gators record for hit-by-pitches in a season is 15, set by Francesca Enea in 2010.
When Little wasn’t being hit or pitched around, she was punishing the pitchers who threw in the strike zone.
In addition to her home run, she hit a double and five singles, including a run-scoring base hit in Florida’s 13-0 blowout against Auburn on Friday.
She recorded a slugging percentage of 1.111 and a .786 on-base percentage in the four games.
"She just found a way to get on base a lot," Walton said. "A lot of two-out hits. She had a really, really, really good week. We were proud of her."
The sophomore outfielder currently leads No. 3 Florida (25-2, 2-1 SEC) in OPS and ranks second on the team with five home runs this season.
"When I get my at-bats, I just went up there and looked for good pitches to hit," Little said. "I just try to get on for my team."
Gators move up in polls:
Florida moved up one spot in both the ESPN/USA Softball and National Fastpitch Coaches Association polls this week.
The Gators defeated the previously top-ranked Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and took two of three from the Tigers on the road.
Florida’s next opponent is No. 6 Tennessee (21-4, 2-1 SEC), which moved up two spots after winning two of three against Alabama.
"It was a tough week," Walton said. "It was a long week for us, but I felt very pleased with the way our team played."
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
