The Florida softball team swung the bats like no other team in program history last weekend against South Carolina, earning its first series sweep of the season and establishing a school record.
The Gators scored 45 runs against the Gamecocks — the most runs Florida has ever scored in a three-game series.
On Friday night, Florida took down South Carolina 10-2 to set the tone for the remaining two games. In the doubleheader Saturday, the Gators pummeled Gamecock pitching as they won 19-0 and 16-3.
After dropping the last game of all three Southeastern Conference series they’ve played — two of which would have given them a series sweep — UF was fueled and could smell a sweep.
"We wanted a sweep. We always do," senior Lauren Haeger said. "We just wanted to buckle down, get a sweep and get it for the first time. It feels really good."
Before the series against the Gamecocks, Florida had scored 47 runs in its last 10 games combined.
Coach Tim Walton’s batters were stuck in a little bit of a rut before the weekend, which he attributed to all the traveling the team had been doing.
"If you look back at our history of us, we kind of run into a little bit of a wall at times when we come back from California," he said.
Florida hitters looked pretty comfortable back on their home field — they compiled 33 hits and hit .446 in the three-game series.
In the middle of the offensive explosion was Haeger and senior Bailey Castro. The two combined to go 10-for-15 and blasted five home runs in the trio of games.
Castro homered twice in the Friday win. Her first homer gave UF a 3-2 lead, and her second followed Haeger’s three-run homer and ended the game via run rule.
"She’s getting her mojo back a little bit" Haeger said. "We’re both just trying to get it going again."
In the final game, it was Haeger who cranked out two home runs and tallied six RBIs. The Peoria, Arizona, native drove in 10 of Florida’s runs in the series.
Haeger had been ice cold at the plate prior to the weekend and hadn’t homered since March 7 against Fresno State. The senior now has sole possession of the team’s home run lead with twelve.
"When she swings at good pitches, she typically can get really hot and can really get on fire," Walton said. "When she gets going, buddy you better watch out."
Follow Patrick Pinak on Twitter @Pinakk12
UF players meet senior Lauren Haeger at home plate following Haeger's home run during Florida's 10-2 win against South Carolina on Friday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
