While Keagan Rothrock’s junior season has mirrored her record-breaking freshman campaign, the ace still had one piece missing: a no-hitter.
Additionally, the Whiteland, Indiana, native had never thrown a complete seven-inning no-hitter, with her previous two coming in five-inning run-rule victories.
But that all changed on Friday night.
The right handed hurler was phenomenal, striking out eight and lowering her season ERA to 2.36.
Moreover, she recorded three 1-2-3 innings and struck out the side in the bottom of the third.
Behind Rothrock’s excellence, No. 6 Florida (38-5, 12-4 SEC) took game one against South Carolina (23-18, 3-10 SEC) 5-0 Friday evening at Beckham Field at Carolina Softball Stadium. Florida will look to clinch its fifth SEC series victory of the season in the matinee on Saturday.
The duo of sophomore second baseman Gabi Comia and senior shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan has not gone unnoticed this season for its shutdown defense. Following the series victory over Tennessee, the pair earned Softball America Defender of the Week honors, and made an immediate impact Friday.
After Rothrock surrendered a leadoff walk to Gamecocks left fielder Quincee Lilo, the duo turned Florida’s 15th double play of the season to end the first inning.
The Gators took the momentum from the double play into the top of the second inning. Redshirt freshman left fielder Townsen Thomas led the frame off with a single into center field and an error by Tori Ensley allowed Thomas to advance to second.
Then, junior third baseman Kendall Grover singled into left and later stole second, giving UF second and third. Florida drew first blood when junior right fielder Cassidy McLellan singled into left field, scoring Thomas from third.
Both pitchers dominated through the middle innings, but Heard was pulled in the top of the fifth after senior catcher Jocelyn Erickson lined a two-out double into right field. Florida couldn’t capitalize, as Gamecocks reliever Nealy Lamb forced Cahalan to line out to second.
However, the Gators added insurance in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded, McLellan recorded her second rbi of the day and drew a walk to push the lead to 2-0. Moments later, junior Ella Wesolowski delivered a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to right field, extending the advantage to 3-0.
Florida wasn’t finished. In the top of the seventh, Thomas launched her third home run of the year, a two-run shot to left, to make it 5-0.
Perhaps the biggest threat to the no-hitter came in the bottom of the seventh. Jamie Mackay launched a fly ball to the wall, but Thomas settled under it to keep the bid intact. Three batters later, Rothrock struck out Tate Davis to seal the no-hitter for the Gators.
Game 2 of the series is set for Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Columbia, South Carolina.
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.
