The Gators were down by a run and sending the bottom of the lineup to the plate in the top of the sixth during Florida’s road game against USF on Feb. 27.
Bulls pitcher Sara Nevins retired the first two batters easily, picking up her eighth strikeout of the game and bringing the top of the lineup to the plate.
Freshman Kelsey Stewart kept the inning alive with a two-out double, and freshman Kirsti Merritt singled her in to tie the game. Sophomore Lauren Haeger came up next and capped the offensive outburst with a game-winning, two-run homer.
No. 3 Florida’s (38-4, 12-3 Southeastern Conference) 3-1 win against USF (32-11, 10-1 Big East) in February was the Gators’ sixth victory this season when scoring three runs or fewer.
In 2013, UF has used solid pitching to keep games close as it waits for the offense to show up. Florida is 18-4 in contests decided by three runs or fewer.
The Gators showcased their ability to win close games last weekend. Down 2-0 in the sixth inning against Mississippi State on Saturday, second baseman Jessica Damico hit a grand slam that won the game 4-2 for Florida.
“We do this all the time,” Haeger said.
“We never give up, and that’s what I love about us.”
When the pitching fails and Florida’s opponents take the lead, the offense has battled back. UF has trailed in 14 of its 38 victories. Florida has five walk-off wins, including a 7-3 victory against Florida State on March 27.
Against the Seminoles, the Gators trailed until the bottom of the seventh inning. Senior Kelsey Horton hit a bouncing ball that FSU third baseman Courtney Senas threw away, scoring the tying runs with two outs. Briana Little won the game with a grand slam in the eighth.
Florida will need its pitchers to keep the game close tonight as the Gators take on the Bulls at 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. South Florida will pitch Nevins, who has posted a 1.50 ERA in four starts against Florida during the past two seasons.
“When you face a pitcher like Sara Nevins, you’re not going to get a whole lot of hits,” coach Tim Walton said. “It’s going to be tough.”
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Sophomore Lauren Haeger swings during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Haeger hit a three-run homer in Florida's 5-2 win against Georgia on Saturday.
