In Florida’s opening game of the Gainesville regional, freshman first team all-SEC right fielder Taylor Shumaker stepped up to the plate in the third inning with the scoreboard empty.
With a runner on base, Shumaker got a hold of a ball across the plate and sent it into the rafters, giving Florida softball a lead it would not surrender. Shumaker’s home run, her 19th of the season, tied UF’s freshman record.
Ultimately, Shumaker sparked the No. 3 Florida Gators (44-14, 14-10 SEC) to an 8-0 win over Mercer (38-25, 11-9 SoCon) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Gainesville regional.
Both teams struggled to get their bats going at first but Florida found their rhythm in the third.
Sophomore pitcher Ava Brown took charge of the circle halfway into the top of the third after senior pitcher Kara Hammock’s third walk of the game loaded the bases for Mercer with two outs. Brown held down the circle and a strong play in the outfield helped the Gatorskeep the score tied at zero going into the bottom of the frame.
From there, Shumaker kicked off the scoring with a two run homer, which was then followed up by sophomore infielder Mia Williams driving in junior Jocelyn Erickson to put Florida up 3-0. Shortly after, year position junior infielder Kenleigh Cahalan brought Williams in with a hit down the right field line and graduate student infielder Rylee Holtorf followed, bringing in senior outfielder Korbe Otis.
Florida carried its momentum into the fourth inning as Williams brought Florida’s lead to seven, bringing in senior infielder Reagan Walsh and Erickson. After three quick outs at the top of the fifth inning, Erickson singled to center field, driving in freshman infielder Gabi Comia for the game-clinching run.
Hammock kicked it off for the Gators on the mound, while Brown was strong in her relief appearance. Timely hits by Shumaker and Williams helped drive Florida to the dominant victory.
Florida will advance and play Florida Atlantic University (45-10, 14-10 CUSA) Saturday at noon as they continue on their road towards the NCAA Super Regionals.
Contact Ava DiCecca at adicecca@alligator.org. Follow her on X@avadicecca24.
