Kelly Barnhill charged toward home plate.
Florida’s star pitcher needed to tag UCLA’s Kelli Godin before she could steal home following a passed ball. Barnhill received a throw from her catcher, Jordan Roberts, and tagged Godin just in time to end the second inning. Or so the Gators thought.
Home plate umpire Paul Edds called off the play due to an illegal pitch. Godin also collided with the two-time All-American, prompting Barnhill to receive medical attention briefly. She finished the second inning and gave up two more runs in the frame. UCLA took a four-run lead, and Barnhill didn’t return in the third.
UF’s pitching was no match for the Bruins’ offense Wednesday night, even during the two innings Barnhill pitched. UCLA defeated the Gators 7-1 in Fullerton, California.
After Wednesday’s two-hour, 31-minute blowout, the Gators will play a 12:30 p.m. matchup against New Mexico and a 3 p.m. contest with No. 20 Oregon on Thursday.
Barnhill gave up a leadoff single to Briana Perez and never settled down. She allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks. Freshman Danni Farley came in to relieve. She pitched well in the third inning but gave up a three-run home run in the fourth. Katie Chronister finished the night in the circle for Florida and gave up only one hit in 1.2 innings of work.
Rachel Garcia, the reigning Honda Award winner, went 4 for 4 from the plate to lead the Bruins. She knocked a two-RBI single in the second inning and belted the three-run homer in the fourth. Garcia also tripled with the bases empty and one out in the sixth inning.
UCLA compiled 12 hits total against the UF pitching staff. It took advantage of its scoring chances and batted 5 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Florida hit 0 for 8 in the same situations.
The Gators had two opportunities with runners on second and third, but both chances ended with strikeouts.
Kendyl Lindaman and Jordan Matthews both stood in scoring position in the top of the first after advancing on a wild pitch. But Hannah Adams struck out and stranded them.
Danielle Romanello doubled in the fourth and advanced Alex Voss from first to third. Sophia Reynoso worked UCLA pitcher Holly Azevedo to a 3-2 count but struck out looking to end the inning.
Azevedo allowed six hits and two walks but struck out eight, five of which came with runners on. She was taken out of the game after 5.0 innings, and her reliever, Megan Faraimo, picked up five strikeouts to finish the contest.
Florida’s best offensive performer was Lindaman, who went 3 for 4 with three singles. The team’s only run came off the bat of Adams. She doubled in the top of the sixth and scored pinch runner Jade Caraway from first.
Follow Mark Stine on Twitter @mstinejr and contact him at mstine@alligator.org.
Kelly Barnhill pitched two innings and allowed six hits and four runs in the Gators 7-1 loss to UCLA on Wednesday.
