A strong start to the season is often expected, especially when facing weaker nonconference opponents as a Division I softball powerhouse. However, what the No. 4 Florida softball team has accomplished offensively to open the season has been remarkable; a clear reflection of the Tim Walton effect.
“We have a simple plan. The plan is to get on time. From getting on time, make good decisions. How can I impact the ball for a line drive?” Walton said
Nonetheless, that “simple plan” has paid off for Florida through its first twelve games. The Gators lead the nation in hits (131), runs (115) and runs batted in (114) as of Feb. 16. Behind that, they are outscoring opponents 115-24.
In addition, they rank top ten in the country in batting average (.392), doubles (31), home runs (25) and slugging percentage (.710).
In 2026, the Gators returned four of their nine regular offensive starters from the 2025 Gainesville Super Regional champion team.
Many shoes needed to be filled, and Florida turned to junior Cassidy McLellan, sophomore Gabi Comia, and freshman Townsen Thomas to become regular starters in 2026. McLellan and Comia saw limited action in 2025 while Thomas redshirted.
McLellan has been in the program for three years and has stepped into the role once held by Gator great Korbe Otis. Entering last weekend, McLellan had just one career home run at Florida, but she doubled that total over the five-game stretch, highlighted by a go-ahead homer against Georgia Tech.
The former No. 3 overall recruit in the 2024 class, Comia has quickly become one of the most impactful Florida bats from the bottom of the lineup. The second baseman is tied for a team high hits with 17 on the year and ranks second on the Gators with a .459 batting average.
Comia is also one of six hitters in the SEC this year to have zero strikeouts this year.
Thomas struggled in the USF-Rawlings Invitational, but found her stride with two hits against Georgia Tech over the weekend. She has proved her ability to bunt and complements that with blazing speed on the basepaths.
Familiar veterans have continued to shine for the Gators this season. Senior shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan is on track for the best season of her career and leads the Gators in batting average (.492), RBIs (19) and slugging percentage (.971). Cahalan has reached base in every game so far.
“Honestly i’m just up there trying to relax, it’s my last year, and it’s a small team this year just leaning on each other and our coaches,” Cahalan said following the win over Jacksonville on Feb. 11
But there’s no question that the recipe for a Women’s College World Series return is reliant on the success of sophomore Taylor Shumaker and senior Jocelyn Erickson. The duo has started the year on the right foot and continues to show its impact on the program in 2026.
Shumaker will look to break the home run record of 22 that she tied in her freshman year. She has recorded four round-trippers so far this year.
In today's college sports landscape, the transfer portal has quickly become one of the most utilized tools by coaches, and Walton took full advantage of it in 2025. Florida brought in four transfers from the portal, but one has stood out among all: Kendall Grover.
The junior transfer from Eastern Illinois has proven why she was the back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference player of the year. Grover leads Florida with five home runs, and four of those longballs came over the weekend.
On Tuesday, she was named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player of the Week.
Grover reflected on her decision to come to Florida in a postgame interview Sunday.
"It's different, but it's a good different,” Grover said. “I feel like I have grown so much as a player and, honestly, as a person as well. I've been able to experience so much.”
Fresh off a 12–0 start, No. 4 Florida returns to action Tuesday against the North Florida Ospreys (11-1) at 6 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.
