Softball is full of ups and downs, and that was exactly what the Florida Gators faced in tonight’s matchup.
Florida adversity continued until the sixth, when all eyes were on the reigning Softball America freshman of the year, Taylor Shumaker, and she delivered.
The sophomore right fielder launched a go-ahead double to give Florida a 6-5 lead.
But the story of the night was the outstanding offensive performance from team captain Jocelyn Erickson. The senior launched two home runs on the night, including a game-tying homer in the fifth.
Behind the offensive performance of Erickson, No. 4 Florida defeated Georgia Tech (5-4) 8-5 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The Gators moved to 9-0 on the season and 6-2 all-time against the Yellow Jackets following the win.
In the primetime matchup, Florida’s ace Keagan Rothrock got the start in the circle, and she struggled in her fifth start of the year. The junior allowed seven hits and four earned runs.
However, Florida’s main reliever junior Olivia Miller picked Rothrock up and tossed 2.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out four Yellow Jackets in the victory. She picked up her first victory of the season.
In her second appearance on Friday, junior Ava Brown came in to close in the seventh for Florida and picked up her second save of the season.
The Florida bats got the scoring started early in the game. Senior third baseman Kendall Grover grounded into a fielder’s choice to score the game’s first run.
Florida’s scoring threat continued as once again senior Kenleigh Cahalan had an RBI single, scoring Erickson.
But two walks given up by Rothrock left Georgia Tech with bases loaded with two outs. Sophomore Raegan Wall delivered as she roped a single to cut the lead to one and put a dent in Florida’s lead.
Shortly after, the Yellow Jackets scored two more runs, courtesy of an RBI single by senior Reese Hunter and a throwing error by Erickson, allowing another run for Georgia Tech.
The opportunity to regain control of the game presented itself in the bottom of the third when junior Cassidy McLellan was up to bat. She walked to tie the ballgame.
But Georgia Tech took the lead in the fifth after the sophomore pair of Emma Simon and Alyssa Willer both hit home runs to dead center off Rothrock.
While that seemed like it would give Georgia Tech the momentum it needed to widen the gap, its offense was held scoreless in the last three innings, opening the door for the Gators to stay undefeated on the season.
Florida continues 2026 Florida Classic play with a pair of games on Saturday against Florida International University at 2 p.m. and Marshall at 4:30 p.m. at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
Contact Zach Moore at zmoore@alligator.org. Follow him on X @zach_moore27.
Zach is a sophomore sports journalism student in his first semester at The Alligator, covering softball. He also has experience as an intern in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Zach enjoys watching sports in his free time, primarily the Minnesota Vikings, Orlando Magic, and Arsenal FC.
