Florida's season came to an end against the Tennessee Volunteers in Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series Friday night.
The Gators (48-16), who were shut out against the Texas Longhorns Thursday, experienced similar offensive struggles and were run-ruled by the Volunteers (45-16) 11-3.
Tennessee’s offense was too much for Florida right-handed pitcher Kara Hammock. Hammock earned the nod over Gators ace Keagan Rothrock, which was an unexpected move heading into the matchup. Hammock lasted just nine pitches and left with the bases loaded and one run surrendered.
Sophomore right fielder Gabby Leach started the Vols’ offensive onslaught and hit a triple down the right field line. Redshirt sophomore third baseman Taylor Pannell followed with an RBI single, breaking open the floodgates against Florida’s pitchers.
With the bases loaded, sophomore Ava Brown entered the game and walked in a run and surrendered a hit, putting the Volunteers in front 3-0.
The Vols continued to tack on runs as sophomore outfielder Alannah Leach stepped to the plate and hit a bases-clearing triple to extend Tennessee’s lead to 6-0 in the first.
Florida turned a double play to end the inning, but the Volunteers tallied seven runs, which is the most by any team in the first inning of a WCWS since 2011.
Conditions only worsened for Florida as seniors Sophia Nugent and Mckenna Gibson hit back-to-back homers, bringing the lead to 9-0. Gators freshman pitcher Katelynn Oxley entered in relief for Brown.
The Lady Vols would add one more run and Florida failed to claw back despite efforts from the heart of its order the following inning.
Florida senior Reagan Walsh hit a two-run shot and was followed by senior left fielder Korbe Otis, who hit a solo shot, bringing the score to 10-3.
Volunteers left fielder Alannah Leach logged her fourth RBI of the contest and brought in the eventual winning run on a slicing ball down the left field line. Otis dove for the ball and appeared to make a miraculous, inning-ending catch, but the ball hit the ground before entering her glove.
Tennessee righty Erin Nuwer earned the final six outs of the contest and closed the game with a 1-2-3 fifth inning for the mercy-rule victory.
The Gators’ season came to a close with the loss.
Contact Casey Godwin Godcasey11@gmail.com. Follow him on X @Godcasey5UF.
