Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
We inform. You decide.
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Gators clobber Illinois State in five-inning shutout

<p>Shortstop Sophia Reynoso went 3-for-6 from the plate in Saturday's games against Jacksonville and Hampton.&nbsp;</p>

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso went 3-for-6 from the plate in Saturday's games against Jacksonville and Hampton. 

TAMPA -- The UF softball team was dialed in from the first pitch of the season.

Literally.

Leadoff batter Hannah Adams debuted Florida’s new charcoal-gray uniforms as she stepped into the batter’s box. She swung at the first offering from Illinois State pitcher Shannon Felde and knocked it up the middle for a single.

Adams crossed home plate two pitches later on a double from left fielder Amanda Lorenz. The first inning snowballed into a four-run effort, jumpstarting a 15-0 Gators victory over the Redbirds at the USF Softball Stadium.

“She (Lorenz) set the tone really nice,” coach Tim Walton said. “We talked to Hannah (Adams) really hard in the offseason about her ability to get on base. Get on base, and we’re going to score with one of those guys behind.”

Lorenz went 3 for 4 at the dish with three RBIs and finished as UF’s offensive player of the game. The senior captain knocked a two-RBI single in the third inning. She also scored a run that came off the bat of right fielder Jaimie Hoover in the top of first.

Hoover powered the ball over the head of the ISU right fielder for a triple, scoring Lorenz and designated player Danielle Romanello, the later of whom reached base after she was hit by a pitch. Hoover scored on a single by first baseman Jordan Matthews on the next at-bat.

The Gators scored six runs in the top of third. They loaded the bases with no outs and scored two runs on walks to begin the rally.

The inning featured Lorenz’s aforementioned two-RBI single as well as the first hit in a UF uniform by outfielder Jade Caraway. The NC State transfer singled through the left side with runners on first and third for an RBI.

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso punctuated the game with a three-run homer in top of the fifth. The junior captain squared up a 1-2 pitch from ISU right hander Ali Domkuski and crushed it over the left-field fence. The blast was Reynoso’s sixth career home run.

Two-time All American pitcher Kelly Barnhill got the start in the circle for Florida. The senior made the bottom of the first three innings rather painless, striking out seven of 10 Redbirds and giving up one hit and no runs on 56 pitches.

“I think it was a good opening performance,” Barnhill said. “For me personally, I don’t think I was throwing my best, but I think it was good place to start, improve and a good opening for the rest of the weekend.”

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox

Sophomore pitcher Natalie Lugo also got an inning of work and faced only three batters, striking out one.

And freshman Danni Farley hurled the fifth inning. She faced only three batters and caused two fly outs and a ground out.

The Gators also answered their questions at first base. Sophomore Jordan Matthews got the start, and Lorenz and freshman Amanda Beane played at the position as well.

Walton said Lorenz will play a lot of first base this season. She may even split time with Matthews.

“I played a little first base in 10-under All Stars, but I mean you know, kind of rusty,” Lorenz said. “So, it’s basically learning a new position.”

Follow Mark Stine on Twitter @mstinejr and contact him at mstine@alligator.org

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso (pictured) hit a three-run homer in top of the fifth inning in the Gators' 15-0 season-opening win Saturday against Illinois State

Support your local paper
Donate Today
The Independent Florida Alligator has been independent of the university since 1971, your donation today could help #SaveStudentNewsrooms. Please consider giving today.

Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2024 The Independent Florida Alligator and Campus Communications, Inc.