Softball - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF starting pitcher Aleshia Ocasio gave up a season-high five runs against Texas A&M, who got a hit in every inning off the UF senior.

Sports

Florida drops Game 2 of Super Regional to force rubber match

By Mark Stine | May 26, 2018

With her team down one run, UF pinch hitter Danielle Romanello stepped up to the plate with two outs, a runner on first and an opportunity to ignite a seventh-inning rally for the second-straight night. After the count reached 1-1, the freshman took to two big hacks at pitches from Texas A&M’s Payton McBride but couldn’t put metal on the softball to extend the game.

Janell Wheaton notched a walk-off walk to seal the game for the Gators early Friday morning.

Sports

Gators avoid Super Regional loss in stunning fashion

By Mark Stine | May 25, 2018

Janell Wheaton didn’t just walk to first base. She sprinted.

Junior left fielder Amanda Lorenz leads the SEC in on-base percentage, walks and doubles this season. She's also a finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

Sports

Gators ready to host a “fun time” in Super Regional

By Mark Stine | May 23, 2018

“This will never happen again.”

Sports

Gators advance to NCAA Super Regional ‘The Florida Way’

By Mark Stine | May 22, 2018

“The Florida Way.”

Senior Aleshia Ocasio torched Ohio State for a no-hitter on Sunday evening.

Sports

Ocasio rolls over Ohio State with no-hitter, Gators top Buckeyes to advance to Super Regional

By Mark Stine | May 20, 2018

As a Gatorade shower rushed down the spine of UF pitcher Aleshia Ocasio, many of her teammates led the crowd at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in the Gator Chomp.

Sophomore Jaimie Hoover is 3-for-3 in regional play with seven RBIs and a home run. She had two RBIs in UF's 10-2 victory over Ohio State on Saturday.

Sports

Gators beat Buckeyes late, stay undefeated in regional play

By Mark Stine | May 19, 2018

Like a carousel, the UF softball team rotated through its lineup in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings.

Sports

UF cruises to victory in regional on no-hitter and mercy rule

By Mark Stine | May 18, 2018

UF pinch hitter Jaimie Hoover sprinted across the bases in the bottom of the second inning. She knew the pitch smacked to dead center field was destined to leave the ballpark, but she couldn’t wait to round the bases and greet her teammates.

Senior Aleshia Ocasio led the Gators to victory in the SEC Tournament final with a complete-game effort against No. 12 South Carolina.

Sports

UF claims SEC Tournament title for fourth time in program history

By Mark Stine | May 12, 2018

UF’s Aleshia Ocasio stood in the circle as her teammates rushed to meet her.

Nicole DeWitt bats during UF's 2-1 win against UNF on April 1, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

No. 4 Gators pulverize Tennessee in mercy rule win

By Mark Stine | May 11, 2018

UF third baseman Nicole DeWitt embraced teammates Kayli Kvistad and Amanda Lorenz at home plate. She just launched a two-run home run into the stratosphere above the Mizzou Softball Stadium, sparking a three-run opening inning for the No. 4 Gators.

Amanda Lorenz scorched another home run on Thursday against Alabama.

Sports

Lorenz proves SEC honors with game-winning homer in SEC tournament

By Mark Stine | May 10, 2018

Crack!

Kayli Kvistad hit a home run against Missouri that would give Florida the lead for good.

Sports

Florida softball finishes regular season with series sweep of Missouri

By Mari Faiello | May 6, 2018

Tied at four apiece in the top of the seventh, senior first baseman Kayli Kvistad knew what it was going to take to finish Florida softball’s uphill battle against the Missouri Tigers.

Senior Aleshia Ocasio struck out 10 Missouri batters in a complete game shutout of the Tigers at the Mizzou Softball Stadium.

Sports

No. 4 Florida win final regular-season series at Missouri

By Mark Stine | May 5, 2018

As a pinch hitter with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, UF sophomore Jordan Roberts stepped into the batter’s box with one mission: get a hit and extend the inning.

Florida first baseman had three of the Gators' four RBIs against Missouri.

Sports

Florida softball named SEC Regular Season Champions with win over Missouri

By Mari Faiello | May 4, 2018

In the top of the sixth, senior catcher Janell Wheaton walked up to home plate with an 0-1 count.

Left fielder Amanda Lorenz tied up the score in the bottom of the fifth inning with a 3-RBI triple in Florida's 5-3 victory over LSU.

Sports

Florida takes series against LSU with 5-3 home victory

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 29, 2018

Things looked pretty grim at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium as the Gators entered the bottom of the fifth, down 3-0 to the LSU Tigers.

UF catcher Janell Wheaton was part of a controversial call in the fourth inning that allowed UCLA to card five runs in the frame.

Sports

Tigers spoil UF Senior Day with 3-0 victory

By Mark Stine | Apr. 28, 2018

The seniors on the UF softball team ‒ pitcher Aleshia Ocasio, first baseman Kayli Kvistad, third baseman Nicole DeWitt and catcher Janell Wheaton ‒ were honored during their second game of the series against No. 13 LSU on Saturday. Their numbers adorned Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium and were traced behind home plate, planted next to their positions and embroidered into the outfield.

Florida defeated LSU 7-0 in its first game of a three-game series. Junior Alex Voss led the Gators offensively with two RBIs.

Sports

Florida extends win-streak over LSU to nine

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 27, 2018

When Alex Voss stepped up to home plate for her first at-bat of the night, she was just trying to get on base and help the Gators get back to the top of the batting order.

It was left fielder Amanda Lorenz's birthday on Wednesday. She went 2 for 3 and scored a run in UF's 5-1 win over Florida State.

Sports

Lorenz gets her birthday wish as Florida softball defeats FSU at home

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 25, 2018

When junior left fielder Amanda Lorenz woke up this morning she had one wish for her birthday: a win against Florida State.

Left fielder Amanda Lorenz went 2-for-5 from the plate with a grand slam in Florida's doubleheader against Mississippi State on Saturday.

Sports

Gators complete sweep of Mississippi State behind performance of Lorenz

By Mark Stine | Apr. 21, 2018

Florida’s softball team mobbed left fielder Amanda Lorenz as she hopped on home plate in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Amanda Lorenz went 4-for-4 on Friday night in the Gators 8-3 win over Mississippi State.

Sports

Gators take first game in series against Mississippi State

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 20, 2018

In her first at-bat of the night, Amanda Lorenz stepped up to the plate with confidence.

Coach Tim Walton was more than happy to empty his bench in Florida's 19-3 win over Florida A&M on Wednesday. “I think overall the main priority is to get everybody at-bats and to keep our timing right," he said.

Sports

Florida gears up for weekend series at Mississippi State

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 19, 2018

It started out with three runs. Then 12. Then another four. All in just three innings.