Jaimie Hoover stepped to the plate in the first inning and rocked a sky-high bomb that rainbowed over the right field wall for her first home run of the season.
Florida picked up a 6-2 win from New Mexico State to extend its undefeated season.
The Gators scored four of their six runs in the first inning off catcher Julia Cottrill’s RBI double and Hoover’s home run. The home run scored two other Gators.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for that,” Hoover said. “I got a pitch that I really liked, and I just swung at it.”
The Aggies picked up five total hits and one run in the second. New Mexico State’s fledgling starting lineup featured seven freshmen, including pitcher Felicia De La Torre. Fellow freshman Matalasi Faapito took over for De La Torre in the third inning.
Florida hitters peppered off foul balls and struggled to collect many base hits after the first. Second baseman Hannah Adams and center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey were the only two Gators successful at the plate until the sixth inning.
Lindsey flew out in center field which gave Katie Kistler enough time to tag up and sneak home from third. Adams then stepped up and crushed her second home run of the season over right field.
“I don’t really get to hit home runs very often, so when I do, it’s really fun,” Adams said.
UF mozied into the seventh inning with a five-point advantage, but the Aggies discovered their sweet spot. Freshman second baseman Maya Martinez whammed her second career home run to left field.
Gator sophomore Rylee Trlicek started in the circle but was relieved by Elizabeth Hightower in the third. Head coach Tim Walton sent in senior Natalie Lugo after the Aggie home run for her eighth career save. She locked the Florida win with a swinging strike out.
“We want to get her used to being able to come in at the end of the game and deal a little bit,” Walton said. “She made a couple nice pitches late.”
The win against New Mexico State improves Florida’s season record to 13-0. The Gators will host state rival Florida State Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Contact Rachel Slay at rslay@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @racheljslay
