For a group that’s averaged six runs through its first 12 SEC contests, Florida’s defense was its best asset in its game against Georgia on Sunday.
A night after Janell Wheaton zinged a ball over the pitcher’s circle to get an out at second, the junior catcher displayed her arm once again.
In the top of the third, Wheaton used her quick reaction time to throw out a Bulldogs runner trying to swipe an extra base.
The two next plays also showed off Florida’s defensive abilities, with impressive line-drive catches from infielders Nicole DeWitt and Kayli Kvistad.
“Our defense is unreal,” Gourley said. “I love watching them at practice when the pitchers are kicked off the field so the rest of the team can do work.”
It was that impressive defense from the Gators that squashed most of the momentum the Bulldogs could muster, leading to a 4-1 series-clinching win for Florida (36-2, 12-1 SEC).
Hits weren’t the issue for Georgia (27-12, 2-9 SEC). The team registered eight hits total, two more than the No. 3 Gators. But when Georgia threatened to score with runners on base, the Gators responded.
The biggest push from the Bulldogs came in the top of the fifth frame, when they loaded the bases and got their only run across home plate.
Facing a tough situation, Gourley tossed a lightly-hit ball home to Wheaton to prevent any further scoring.
In the next Bulldog at-bat, Gourley earned a three-pitch strikeout to strand three runners and sustain a three-run lead.
“All her pitches were moving,” Wheaton said. “I think she was born for those moments.”
Florida’s offense, meanwhile, was reminiscent of its past, particularly its game the previous day against Georgia.
Scoring came early in the first inning off of a Kvistad sacrifice fly.
In the second inning, three more runs pushed UF’s lead to four.
But like in Saturday’s matchup, when the No. 19 Bulldogs brought relief pitcher Kylie Bass to the circle, the Gators were unable to register much offense.
The sophomore caused issues with Florida’s bats, and through two nights of action she gave up just three hits and no runs in 6 and 1/3 innings pitched.
The two teams will meet for a final matchup to end the series on Monday at 7 p.m. back at Katie Seashole Pressly stadium. It’s a chance for Florida to sweep the team that knocked it out of playoff contention a season ago. Even if players insisted they don’t care about that.
“We’re not looking back to last year,” Gourley said. “We wanna sweep because we wanna sweep.”
Follow Skyler Lebron on Twitter at @SkylerLebron, or contact him at slebron@alligator.org.
Janell Wheaton notched a walk-off walk to seal the game for the Gators early Friday morning.
