A homecoming is special for any player, but performing well makes it even sweeter. For sophomore Taylor Shumaker, that was certainly the case Thursday night.
In the second inning, all eyes were on the hometown superstar, Shumaker. A pair of singles by sophomore Gabi Comia and redshirt freshman Townsen Thomas brought the right fielder up to the plate, and she delivered.
Shumaker lined a double into left-center that scored Comia from second to put Florida up 3-0.
Shortly after, Jocelyn Erickson launched a three-run homer to score Thomas and Shumaker, giving Florida a 5-0 advantage.
The four-run second inning was enough as No. 4 Florida (20-0) cruised to a run-rule victory over California (5-13) 8-0 on Thursday at Anderson Family Field. The Gators are now 9-3 all-time against the Golden Bears and are on an eight-game winning streak against the program.
Junior Keagan Rothrock got the ball in the circle and was phenomenal in the victory. She hurled her ninth win on year and had three strikeouts. The ace gave up two hits on Thursday and both came in the last inning.
Back home, Shumaker made her impact immediately as she led off the ballgame with a single. Following the right fielder, Erickson lined a single of her own to give the Gators first and second.
Then, shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan recorded her 33rd RBI of the season on a single to center that scored Erickson from second and gave Florida an early 1-0 advantage.
In the third inning, Shumaker continued to shine and roped her second double of the night, scoring Thomas. This made Florida’s advantage 6-0.
Erickson wasn’t done either after her homer in the second. The catcher launched her second longball of the night in the fifth inning, putting the run-rule in effect 8-0. Thursday marks Erickson’s third multi-homerun game of the year.
The Golden Bears were threatening in the bottom half, as they had bases loaded with one out. However, UF second baseman Comia turned an unassisted double play to end the ballgame
Florida continues play in the Judi Garman Classic against East Texas A&M at Anderson Family Field on Thursday. First pitch is set for 10:30.
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.
