On the second sunflower Saturday of the season, one Florida star stood out among all.
That was team captain Ava Brown. In her fifth start of the season, the flamethrowing junior was lights out. She posted a career best in strikeouts with seven and threw her second complete game of the season.
Despite allowing two hits in the first, the East Texas native settled in and did not allow a single baserunner the rest of the game. She now holds a 0.42 ERA in the circle.
In addition, Brown had a solo shot in the third inning, her fifth longball of the season.
Behind Brown’s excellent two-way play, No. 4 Florida (17-0) cruised to its fourth straight run-rule victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating Lindenwood (6-6) 8-0 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The victory also marks the fourth consecutive game that the Gators have shut out their opponent.
For the second-straight game, the Gators found themselves with bases loaded in the first. That brought up Brown, and she drew her 20th walk of the year, making it 1-0. Brown went 1-1 and drew two walks in the win.
The walks were not done from there as junior Cassidy McLellan forced another bases-loaded walk to make the lead 2-0. In the victory, Florida drew seven free passes.
At the plate, the duo of sophomore Taylor Shumaker and senior Jocelyn Erickson led the Gators with two hits each.
In the fourth, senior Kenleigh Cahalan launched a three-run homerun to further the margin 6-0. The shortstop leads Florida with seven round-trippers on the season.
Following the longball, sophomore Gabi Comia and redshirt freshman Townsen Thomas hit a pair of RBI singles to put the run-rule in effect 8-0.
Florida continues 2026 Florida Tournament play on Saturday against Longwood at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
Contact Zach Moore at zmoore@alligator.org. Follow him on X @zach_moore27.
