Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
We inform. You decide.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
<p>Senior Amanda Lorenz returns to the Gators 2019 lineup after winning 2018 SEC Player of the Year and SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.</p>

Senior Amanda Lorenz returns to the Gators 2019 lineup after winning 2018 SEC Player of the Year and SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

The Gators softball team (10-0) continued its hot start to the season with a combined 25 runs in its two run-rule wins at the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Arizona. Florida scored runs in all 10 innings it played. Here’s how it happened:

Gators tame Toreros

The Gators’ offense got the early jump on its opponent for the second game in a row.

Designated player Kendyl Lindaman stepped up to the plate with one out in the top of the first inning and runners on first and second. She ripped an RBI single off San Diego pitcher Madison Earnshaw’s 2-0 pitch to give the Gators an early 1-0 lead.

Lindaman’s RBI single was the beginning of both a three-run first inning and a dominant offensive performance from the Gators, who scored at least a run in every inning, in a 12-4 run-rule victory over the Toreros (2-5).

The offense was aided by Earnshaw struggling with her control. The Gators drew six walks on the day, and Earnshaw hit an additional two batters.

Earnshaw’s first walk of the game was in the first inning with the bases loaded, giving the Gators a 2-0 lead right off the bat. Florida tacked on an additional run with an RBI single from shortstop Sophia Reynoso for a three-run first inning.

Florida scored one run in each of the next two innings before a combined seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 12-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. The Gators racked up 15 hits and were able to consistently bring runners home, batting 10 for 18 with runners in scoring position against Earnshaw.

Freshman Danni Farley pitched all five innings for the Gators, giving up seven hits and four runs, three of which were earned. She also dished out three walks and only three strikeouts. Three of the Toreros’ four runs were from home runs.

Hightower and High-Powered Offense

For the second time on Saturday, coach Tim Walton slotted a freshman in the circle to start the game.

Pitcher Elizabeth Hightower struck out 10 Aggies in only five innings, and the Gators’ offense continued to execute in its second game on Saturday in a 13-1 win over Utah State.

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

Hightower had a perfect-game bid through three innings, allowed just one run and limited Utah State to two hits. The freshman struck out seven of the first 10 batters she faced, and the only time she got into a jam was when the score was already 12-0.

Much like the San Diego game, the Gators jumped ahead in the top of the first inning. Outfielder Amanda Lorenz reached first via an error, and first baseman Jordan Matthews walked before Lindaman hit a three-run shot for an early 3-0 lead.

It’s not common to say that a team put a game out of reach in the second inning, but that’s exactly what Florida did against Utah State.

A six-run second inning for the Gators was punctuated with a three-run bomb by Jaimie Hoover to put UF ahead 9-0. Florida picked up two runs in the third and a run in both the fourth and the fifth innings to seal a 13-1 run-rule victory.

Florida wraps up the Littlewood Classic with a game against Central Michigan tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Follow Brendan Farrell on Twitter @Bfarrell727 and contact him at bfarrell@alligator.org. 

Senior Amanda Lorenz recorded two hits, two runs and an RBI in the Gators' 13-1 win over Utah State on Saturday. Florida also topped San Diego 12-4.

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.