With the bases loaded, freshman catcher Ariel Kowalewski smashed a single in right field to score sophomore first baseman Jocelynn Erickson.
On the throw home, junior pinch-runner Brooke Barnard advanced to third. The Titans failed to get the ball back into the circle, which allowed Barnard to take advantage and steal home to give the Gators an 8-0, run-rule win.
“I thought we hit the ball hard, and we aren’t going to be perfect,” Florida head coach Tim Walton said. “We hit the ball better today than when we scored 16 runs the other day.”
Walton said he feels the team has improved at the plate as the weeks have gone on, and the University of Illinois Chicago Flames had the best variables than any other team they faced this weekend.
The No. 14 Florida Gators softball team (15-2) defeated UIC (9-6) 8-0 to sweep the T-Mobile Tournament.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Keagan Rothrock continued her start to the season with a smooth 1-2-3 first inning getting three strikeouts on 11 pitches.
“We go out there, have fun and do what we know how to do best,” she said. “We have our defense behind us.”
Rothrock said in smaller games like Sunday it’s important to work and hit their spots for future SEC play.
Florida came out strong offensively in the first inning with five runs and five hits. Junior left fielder Korbe Otis hit an infield single to third base and scored Falby for the first run of the game.
With one out and the bases loaded, senior right fielder Katie Kistler hit a two-run double past the right center fielder. Then, Kowalewski scored junior third baseman Reagan Walsh on a sacrifice fly.
The next four innings were scoreless as both teams fought back-and-forth, refusing to give up a run.
In the bottom of the third, Florida left three on base as UIC’s junior center fielder Grace Flemming caught two fly balls at the center field wall to keep the Flames in contention.
With one out in the frame, freshman right-handed pitcher Ava Brown subbed in to close out the fifth inning. She followed by retiring the top of the sixth in order.
Going into Sunday’s game, Brown knew she would play a closing role but that normally isn’t her strong suit. Knowing in advance helped her prepare, she said.
“One of the things that make us great is that we feed off each other,” she said. “Being able to bring momentum to the team is something I think we are all really good at.”
Walton said he made the switch to manage the load and do a good job at allowing everyone to compete.
Next, the Gators will hit the road Thursday to face the California State Fullerton Titans at 8 p.m.
“Every step of the way as we move in the schedule, it’s going to get tougher,” Walton said. “We’ll see how we respond”
Contact Hailey Hurst at hhurst@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @haileyjhurst.
Hailey Hurst is a second-year journalism major with a focus in sports media and a sports reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and cheering for Miami sports teams.
