As the regular season comes to a close and UF rolls into the postseasons, the Gators are hungry for their 14th Women’s College World Series appearance. Florida culminated the regular season with a 48-10 record and a third-place finish in the Southeastern Conference.
But for that to happen, it took a collective effort from the smallest roster among Power Four programs. Thanks to those efforts, seven Gators earned All-SEC honors May 8, including four first-team selections, tying Oklahoma and Texas for the most in the conference.
Leading the honors for Florida is senior catcher Jocelyn Erickson. Her game-tying home run in Florida’s 10-9 SEC Tournament victory over Auburn made her the fifth player in program history to hit 50 or more career home runs as a Gator, joining Lauren Haeger (71), Megan Bush (65), Francesca Enea (61) and Kelsey Bruder (52).
In conference play, Erickson ranked among the SEC’s top 10 in home runs (8), RBIs (27), slugging percentage (.735), doubles (6) and on-base plus slugging (1.167).
Senior Day marked an emotional moment for Erickson. Not only did it celebrate her career as a Gator, but it also set the stage for her professional future. She received an Athletes Unlimited Softball League Golden Ticket and was overcome with emotion following the announcement.
“[The] University of Florida changed my life forever,” she said, as tears rolled down her face. “They have impacted my life in so many ways [and] I would not be the person, leader or friend I am today without them.”
Heading into the season, head coach Tim Walton was candid about superstar Taylor Shumaker following her record-breaking freshman campaign. He implied that if people compared her sophomore season to her NFCA Freshman of the Year campaign, it would not be considered a successful year for her.
The sophomore has continued to amaze from the leadoff spot and in the outfield. Shumaker led the Gators at the plate with a .443 batting average and joined Erickson in being named a top 25 finalist for the USA Softball Player of the Year Award.
While still an underclassman, Taylor Shumaker has emerged as one of Florida’s
leaders by learning from those who came before her.
Walton recalled Shumaker went the extra mile for the team — and for the fans — and made it a priority even before the season.
“We brought a kid on a visit, and [Taylor] flew all the way from California to Gainesville to make sure she was on campus for that kid’s visit,” Walton said. “That tells you a little bit about how important people are to Taylor Shumaker.”
Above all, there has been one player who has made her mark specifically in conference play: left fielder Townsen Thomas. After bouncing around the order in non-conference play, the redshirt freshman found her stride in the cleanup spot and ran with it.
Through SEC play, Thomas tallied 10 multi-hit games and six multi-RBI games. She earned two SEC Freshman of the Week honors following Florida’s sweep of Kentucky and series win over Auburn.
Thomas has also showcased her versatility in the outfield, moving between center and left field. Her efforts emphasized UF’s outfielders are willing to play wherever the team needs them.
“We are all very dynamic,” Thomas said. “We can all play whatever position is needed from us, and that's just something really special that we each admire.”
It was only fitting the workhorse of Florida’s pitching staff, junior right-hander Keagan Rothrock, also received All-SEC honors. She compiled an SEC-best 166 innings pitched and 25 wins in conference play. Rothrock’s postseason success will be crucial if the Gators hope to return to Oklahoma City.
Senior shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan and junior right fielder Cassidy McLellan both received second-team honors.
Cahalan has provided a consistent bat all season, tallying five home runs, four doubles, 14 RBIs, seven walks and 15 runs in SEC play. Defensively, she posted a .990 fielding percentage in conference play, committing just one error in 24 games. Cahalan also joined Erickson in receiving an AUSL Golden Ticket.
On the other hand, 2026 has provided a breakout season for McLellan. After sitting behind Korbe Otis for two seasons, she was promised a starting job — and she’s capitalized on the opportunity.
At the plate, she tallied six multi-hit games and four multi-RBI games, including her five RBIs at South Carolina April 11.
Meanwhile, sophomore second baseman Gabi Comia has been the defensive catalyst this season, and her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Comia earned a spot on the All-SEC Defensive Team after posting a perfect fielding percentage in conference play across 87 chances with 36 assists. She also helped turn a team-high nine double plays.
Comia said the recognition is a testament to the hard work Florida’s infield puts in every day.
“We work really, really hard on it,” Comia said. “Just trusting that my positioning is right and then trusting that these girls are behind me.”
Florida earned the No. 6 overall national seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host the Gainesville Regional featuring Texas State (38-20), Georgia Tech (30-27) and Florida A&M (32-20). UF opens regional play against FAMU May 15 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.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.
