Holding a narrow 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, Florida knew it needed insurance and a five-run frame delivered just that.
Nobody was more fitting to ignite the surge than sophomore center fielder Taylor Shumaker.
The Fullerton, California, native launched her 16th home run of the season, extending Florida’s lead to 3-0.
Moments later, junior third baseman Kendall Grover was hit by a pitch for the second time Friday night and promptly stole second base to move into scoring position. Redshirt freshman left fielder Townsen Thomas then followed with her second hit of the game, a single up the middle that put runners on second and third.
A defensive miscue proved costly for the Knights. Senior shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan dropped down a bunt, and an errant throw from UCF freshman reliever Ava Stuewe allowed Grover to score, pushing the advantage to 4-0. Stuewe’s struggles continued as she later uncorked a wild pitch, bringing Thomas home.
Junior designated player Ava Brown then put the finishing touch on the inning, launching her seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot to right-center to cap the five-run outburst.
The five-run blunder propelled No. 5 Florida (44-7) over No. 22 Central Florida (36-13) 7-0 on Friday night at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The Gators moved to 12-1 against in-state opponents following the victory.
For the second-straight game, the Gators turned to junior Keagan Rothrock and she was dominant. She grabbed her 24th win in the circle and struck out three batters.
Both offenses were held in check early, as neither side recorded a hit in the opening frame.
It appeared Brown had delivered Florida’s first hit of the game, lining a sharp comebacker at UCF’s starting pitcher Isabella Vega. But Vega recovered quickly and threw Brown out at first base.
Moments later, junior right fielder Cassidy McLellan drew a walk and junior first baseman Madison Walker delivered the first hit of the night on a single into left-center. But, the Gators were not able to cash in as Vega forced a popout to the senior shortstop Aubrey Evans stranding two on base.
The Knights’ offense looked to capitalize on Florida’s struggles, as sophomore left fielder Zoe Calvez led off the top of the third with a single up the middle and later advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.
But Florida sophomore second baseman Gabi Comia showed why she is among the nation’s top defenders. UCF junior Sierra Humphreys lined a shot to Comia, who caught Calvez off second and tagged the base herself for an unassisted double play.
“I just trust in the prep I'm putting in. I mean, our infield is really great. We work really hard on it” Comia said.
Florida capitalized on the double play effort in the bottom of the third. Senior catcher Jocelyn Erickson singled into left-center and that set the stage for Grover. The third baseman launched a longball off the scoreboard in left-center, putting Florida ahead 2-0.
Moreover, Grover became the fifth UF hitter to reach ten home runs on this season and postgame she reflected on reaching the milestone in her first season as a Gator.
“Everyone believed in me and trusted me, and the coaches poured everything they had into me. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Looking to get back into the ballgame, Evans recorded the second leadoff single for the Knights in the top of the fourth. But Rothrock settled in and induced two fly outs and a strikeout to Kendall Yarnell ending the frame.
In the fifth, Coco Jaimes led the frame off with the third leadoff single for the Knights, but Rothrock retired the next three in order continuing her dominance. She continued to dominate in the sixth as she recorded her first 1-2-3 inning of the night.
Head coach Tim Walton turned to sophomore Katelynn “Red” Oxley for the final three outs and despite surrendering a leadoff walk to pinch hitter Shyanne Irvin she recorded the next three outs shutting the door on the Knights.
Florida travels to Orlando on Saturday for its second game against UCF. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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.
