Bats stay hot as Gators trounce Wildcats to complete series sweep
By Logan McBride | Mar. 15On a windy day in Lexington, Kentucky, the Gators completed their sweep of the Kentucky Wildcats behind a surge of runs.
On a windy day in Lexington, Kentucky, the Gators completed their sweep of the Kentucky Wildcats behind a surge of runs.
Senior Jocelyn Erickson has had a decorated collegiate career thus far. But the 2024 NFCA Division I Softball Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year has turned it up a whole other notch in 2026.
Holding a narrow 3-1 lead, Florida looked to add on insurance in the top of the sixth inning. The Gators put up seven runs to do just that.
Behind Erickson’s excellence, No. 5 Florida (26-1, SEC 3-0) completed the sweep against Missouri (7-16, SEC 0-3) on Monday night. The victory marks the first time since the Texas A&M sweep in May of 2024 that Florida has swept an SEC foe at home.
In front of a rowdy crowd at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, the Gators were in trouble. Down to its last three outs, Florida needed one run to tie things up and look to remain undefeated at home. Up stepped senior Jocelyn Erickson.
In a sold-out Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, the first SEC matchup of the season for Florida had all the fixings of a marquee matchup.
The dominant start propelled No. 4 Florida (23-1) to a 21-1 rout of Oregon State (9-10) on Saturday afternoon at Anderson Family Field. The Gators finish non-conference play 23-1 heading into SEC play next weekend.
After a three-hour-long slugfest loss against UCLA, Florida had to regroup after its first loss of the year.
After a smooth sailing start to the season, it was only a matter of time before the undefeated Gators faced real adversity. And that is what happened on Friday afternoon.
The explosive opening frame fueled No. 4 Florida’s (21-0) domination over East Texas A&M (5-13) on Thursday night at Anderson Family Field. Thursday marked the first time the two programs have met on the diamond.
A homecoming is special for any player, but performing well makes it even sweeter. For sophomore Taylor Shumaker, that was certainly the case Thursday night.
After a remarkable start to the season, the Gators face their toughest stretch yet this weekend at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, California.
It’s evident that heading into 2026, the strongest unit on the Florida softball team was in the circle. Over the weekend, it showed. Over the five-game stretch, the pitching staff hurled four shutouts.
The fifth inning run resurgence powered No. 4 Florida (18-0) over Longwood (1-11) 12-4 on Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Florida recorded its fifth consecutive run-rule win.
On the second sunflower Saturday of the season, one Florida star stood out among all.
Being a freshman for a prestigious powerhouse like Florida softball is a tall task. But, Leah Stevens hasn’t let that affect her early in her Gator career.
From the leadoff spot, your usual job is to reach base by any means possible to set up for the power hitters behind you. But when you’re Taylor Shumaker, sometimes you can do it all yourself. The sophomore recorded her first multi-home run game Friday since May 17, 2025.
The five dingers were plenty as No. 4 cruised to a run-rule victory over North Florida 10-0 at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. Florida outscored UNF 17-3 over the two-game stretch.
Throwing a complete game is an incredible stat in the sport of softball. But, throwing 40 complete games is nothing short of greatness. That is exactly what Keagan Rothrock accomplished Tuesday night.
A strong start to the season is often expected, especially when facing weaker nonconference opponents as a Division I softball powerhouse. However, what the No. 4 Florida softball team has accomplished offensively to open the season has been remarkable; a clear reflection of the Tim Walton effect.