On the surface, the No. 1 Florida softball team looks similar to the championship teams of the past two years.
Upon closer examination, however, this observation proves misleading.
While UF has displayed power at the plate in recent seasons — hitting 89 and 80 home runs in 2014 and 2015, respectively — this year’s squad has seen a power shortage.
Florida isn’t hitting home runs.
Through 31 games this season, the Gators have hit only 23 homers and are on pace to hit just 50, a total that would mark the lowest output since the 2007 team hit 49.
"Maybe it’s the fact that our bats aren’t as good. Maybe the ball’s not as good. Maybe our hitters aren’t as good. Maybe we’re not as strong," coach Tim Walton said.
"Maybe El Nino has (an) effect on it and the air is humid and we’re not able to get the ball lifted, I don’t know."
Fortunately for the Gators, a high number of home runs does not always correlate with a high rate of success, especially in the postseason.
In 2011, Florida hit 124 homers — the highest total since the Tim Walton era began in 2006 — but was swept by Arizona State in the finals of the Women’s College World Series.
"I self-reflect on what our team can do and what our team can’t do," Walton said. "Right now, we’re not hitting home runs."
For Florida, 214 out of 271 hits this season have been singles — roughly 79 percent.
On the contrary, in 2014 and 2015, singles accounted for 66.8 and 65.1 percent of the Gators’ hits, respectively.
Also, Florida’s team batting average (.349) is the highest it’s been through 31 games in any season during Walton’s tenure, while its strikeout total (86) is the lowest.
Florida also has the country’s highest on-base percentage at .479.
Although UF’s power numbers are down in 2016, the Gators are figuring out how to piece together runs and rallies while leaving the rest to their overpowering pitching staff and lock-down defense.
With a collective 0.87 ERA and a defense that boasts a .986 fielding percentage — both best in the nation — it's becoming clear why the Gators have outscored opponents to the tune of 180 runs, 208-28.
"I think more than anything it is … the tactics of finding out what your team can and can’t do," Walton said.
"I think all of those things just kind of tell you what our identity really is."
Contact Brian Lee at blee@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @brianlee_17.
Tim Walton talks with Taylor Schwarz during Florida's doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville on Feb. 17, 2016, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
