Softball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Left fielder Amanda Lorenz leads her team in hits and runs scored through 15 games.

Sports

Florida softball teams continues winning streak on Day 2 of Aquafina Invitational

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 24, 2018

It was the hit that no one saw coming.

Junior Kelly Barnhill allowed just her second earned run of the season in her complete game against Maryland Friday.

Sports

UF softball sweeps competition in Day 1 of Aquafina Invitational

By Mark Stine | Feb. 23, 2018

The crowd at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium fell silent in the top of the fourth inning. Then, it erupted in cheers as UF softball players funneled out of their dugout.

Sophomore pitcher Katie Chronister hasn't allowed a run to score while striking out 12 in 10 innings pitched this season.

Sports

Gators doing their jobs ahead of Aquafina Invitational

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 22, 2018

Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium fell silent Wednesday night with nothing but the wind blowing through the once echoing bleachers full of rowdy Gators fans.

Pitcher Kelly Barnhill struck out 15 batters in 5.2 innings against Oakland.

Sports

Florida’s softball team dominates Oakland for pair of victories in doubleheader

By Mark Stine | Feb. 21, 2018

Florida’s softball team got its stark-white uniforms plenty dirty on Wednesday night.

Sophomore Katie Chronister will see time in the circle today during UF’s doubleheader against Oakland, according to coach Tim Walton.

Sports

Underclassmen expected to contribute Wednesday for Florida softball team

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 21, 2018

One of the most notable factors about Florida’s softball team this season is its deep roster.

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

Sports

Gators softball team off to strong start despite recent loss

By Mark Stine | Feb. 19, 2018

Despite leaving Lafayette on Sunday with its first loss of 2018, the Florida softball team should be encouraged by its performance so far this season.

Senior Aleshia Ocasio allowed a walk-off two-run homer to Louisiana Sunday afternoon in the final match of a three-game series.

Sports

Walk-off home run seals Louisiana’s upset win over Florida

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 18, 2018

Pitcher Aleshia Ocasio bent over and picked up some clay on the mound with her right hand.

Catcher Nicole DeWitt's only hit of the Gators' first game against Louisiana pushed across two runs.

Sports

Florida defeats Louisiana twice in double-header to remain undefeated

By Mark Stine | Feb. 17, 2018

Nicole DeWitt waited.

Junior Kelly Barnhill tossed her third career no-hitter in the Gators' home-opening win over North Florida Thursday night.

Sports

Gators travel to Louisiana for matchup with Cajuns

By Mark Stine | Feb. 16, 2018

It has been easy for the Florida softball team in the early going.

Starting in center field against North Florida, senior Aleshia Ocasio finished with two RBIs. She recorded at least one RBI for the fourth consecutive game.

Sports

Florida softball win streak continues with home-opener shutout of North Florida

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 14, 2018

With a 1-1 count in the bottom of the first inning, Florida catcher Janell Wheaton got ready for a third pitch.

Florida softball coach Tim Walton was pleased with the production he received from freshman Jordan Matthews during the team's opening weekend.

Sports

Jordan Matthews off to a hot start for Florida softball team heading into home opener

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 13, 2018

With runners on second and third base deep into the seventh inning, Florida freshman outfielder Jordan Matthews had one job.

Catcher Janell Wheaton started a Gators rally with the team's first hit of the game in the fifth inning.

Sports

Gators softball team completes opening weekend with pair of victories

By Mark Stine | Feb. 11, 2018

Florida put on a batting exposition on Sunday, defeating UAB 6-0 and South Florida 14-3 at the USF Softball Complex in Tampa to improve its record to 5-0.

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso provided the only RBIs in Florida's 2-0 win over No. 18 Michigan.

Sports

Gators softball team takes care of Michigan and Georgia State in doubleheader

By Mark Stine | Feb. 10, 2018

Florida’s softball team was back in action on Saturday, playing a doubleheader against No. 18 Michigan and unranked Georgia State. The Gators picked up respective victories of 2-0 and 11-0, pushing their record to 3-0.

Senior pitcher and utility player Aleshia Ocasio opened the Gators' 2018 season with five perfect innings, ending the afternoon with eight strikeouts. She also went 1 of 3 from the plate with a pair of runs scored.

Sports

Florida’s softball team tramples Illinois St. to win season opener

By Mark Stine | Feb. 9, 2018

One by one, Illinois State’s players approached the batter’s box.

While the Gators have five upperclassmen on the Preseason All-SEC Team, a slew of freshmen are set to make immediate contributions. "I'm really excited to see how it's going to piece together," senior Aleshia Ocasio said.

Sports

Gators open season against Illinois State

By Mark Stine | Feb. 9, 2018

Last year, the Gators turned to their underclassmen to fill pivotal roles. This year could prove to be similar.

Senior infielder Nicole DeWitt has a .329 career batting average as well as 104 RBIs.

Sports

Florida softball team’s senior leaders have another championship run in mind

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 6, 2018

It’s been 246 days since Florida’s softball team felt the pain of coming up two games short of a national championship, getting swept by Oklahoma 2-0 in the Women’s College World Series.

As a sophomore, pitcher Kelly Barnhill recorded the lowest ERA in the country (0.51) and the most strikeouts per seven innings (13). Her efforts earned her multiple national awards.

Sports

Kelly Barnhill ready to lead Gators on another deep run in 2018

By Mark Stine | Jan. 31, 2018

It’s just over a week until the start of the Florida softball team’s season, but if you walk up to the pool at the O’Connell Center, you just might find UF pitcher Kelly Barnhill doing laps.

Kelly Barnhill collected a handful of national awards for her pitching in the 2017 season after going 26-4 with a 0.51 ERA. She will be one of six current and former Gators playing for Team USA in two upcoming tournaments.

Sports

Kelly Barnhill selected to U.S. National Team along with five other UF softball alums

By Mari Faiello | Jan. 8, 2018

Six current and former Florida softball players were selected to the 2018 United States Women’s National Teams on Saturday.

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 softball “lived the dash” from start to finish in 2017

By Cassie Amundson | June 8, 2017

After game two of the Women’s College World Series, coach Tim Walton was asked about the fight and competitiveness his team exhibited against Oklahoma.

Tim Walton speaks with his players in the dugout during Florida's 5-0 win against Georgia on April 8, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida falls short of national title in 5-4 defeat against Oklahoma

By Cassie Amundson | June 6, 2017

With two outs and the bases loaded in the second inning, Oklahoma’s Shay Knighten hammered a ball to center field.