A third-inning rally and stout pitching by freshman Delanie Gourley proved to be the difference-maker in Florida’s Friday-night matchup against Florida A&M.
The Gators scored six runs on as many hits in the third frame to take a 9-0 five-inning win against the Rattlers at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
“I was pleased with the way we came out,” coach Tim Walton said. “And really we were down in the count a few times and still found a way to put the ball in play hard with two strikes.”
Gourley started out strong in the circle for UF (36-8, 8-7 Southeastern Conference). The Lakeside, Calif., native struck out five batters in her first two innings. In her fourth complete-game shutout of the season, Gourley (12-1, 2.49 ERA) gave up just one hit and one walk while striking out seven batters — all swinging.
“Delanie obviously came out firing strikes and throwing pitches. Her changing speeds looked good,” coach Tim Walton said. “It’s nice to see her be able to go out there and execute and throw a complete game and have to pitch through a batting lineup for a few innings and have some success.
“Katie did a good job going for it, going to her left, diving for the play. And then most people jump to their knees or try to get up and throw that ball, but she did kind of an interesting roll with a sidearm throw. I think that’s the only way that even made that play that close was by her doing that and adjusting mid-roll for that throw.”
Florida’s offense provided Gourley with relief. As a team, UF batted .500 against FAMU (15-22, 3-3 Mid Eastern Athletic Conference), with seven different batters plating a hit.
The Gators’ bats started from the get-go, with leadoff hitter Kelsey Stewart opening up the bottom of the first with a single up the middle. After the second baseman stole her 25th base of the season, senior Stephanie Tofft drove her home with a one-out RBI single.
Briana Little brought the score to 2-0 by driving in Tofft with a single up the left side.
Florida kept the momentum going in the third inning.
Tofft led off the frame with a single to left-center field, and Bailey Castro drew a four-pitch walk. First baseman Taylor Schwarz then scored Tofft on a single up the middle to give UF a three-run advantage, and Little loaded the bases with an infield single.
Taylore Fuller brought the power from there.
Facing a 1-0 count, the Trenton native hit her seventh home run and third grand slam of the season to extend Florida’s lead to 7-0.
“I’ve been working on staying back on the slower pitches and that was a change-up,” Fuller said, “so it felt good to go through the middle and help my team get those runs.”
Florida added one more run in the third inning and capped off scoring when Justine McLean hit an RBI double in the fourth inning while pinch-hitting for Kathlyn Medina.
“They went up there with a plan, and they executed really well,” Gourley said. “They wanted their pitches and they definitely hit their pitches.”
Added Fuller “We feed off each other really well. If one person gets on base, then another will get on and another and another. It’s just a chain reaction with us. We all have really good chemistry. … It’s just what good teams do.”
Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
