Sports | Softball - The Independent Florida Alligator

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

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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.

UF pitcher Kelly Barnhill pitches during Florida's 5-0 win against Georgia on April 8, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators fall to Oklahoma in 17-inning first game of WCWS Championship

By Spencer Thompson | June 6, 2017

Seventeen innings, five and a half hours and 12 runs.

Kayli Kvistad swings during Florida's 15-7 win against Bethune-Cookman on March 29, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators advance to WCWS Final after win over Washington

By Cassie Amundson | June 4, 2017

The moment Kayli Kvistad came up to the plate in the second inning, Huskies pitcher Taran Alvelo had reason to be worried.

Amanda Lorenz swings during Florida's 3-0 loss against Alabama in game one of the NCAA Super Regional on May 25, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida continues offensive dominance, tops LSU in WCWS

By Spencer Thompson | June 2, 2017

Chelsea Herndon had been silent since the end of the regular season. She entered Saturday’s College World Series game against LSU 0-for-11 in the postseason.

Aleshia Ocasio bats during Florida's 3-0 loss against Alabama during game one of the NCAA Super Regional on May 25, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF's offense thrives in opening game of WCWS

By Cassie Amundson | June 1, 2017

When junior Aleshia Ocasio connected with the pitch, it was clear where the ball was headed.

UF pitcher Kelly Barnhill pitches during Florida’s 3-0 loss against Alabama in game one of the NCAA Super Regional on May 25, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Barnhill ready for Women's College World Series

By Cassie Amundson | June 1, 2017

May 28, 2015: the last time Florida began play in the Women’s College World Series.

Amanda Lorenz swings during Florida’s 3-0 loss against Alabama on Thursday in game one of the NCAA Super Regional at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF relishes opportunity to reach Women’s College World Series

By Jake Dreilinger | May 29, 2017

After Florida’s loss to Alabama in the first game of the NCAA Super Regional on Thursday, the team knew what needed to be done to avoid missing the College World Series for a second consecutive season.

UF pitcher Kelly Barnhill pitches during Florida's 3-0 loss against Alabama in the first game of the NCAA Super Regional on May 25, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators advance to Women’s College World Series after defeating Alabama

By Jake Dreilinger | May 27, 2017

Florida pitcher Kelly Barnhill stood on the mound in the top of the seventh inning with a runner on first base. With two outs in the inning and a 2-2 count on the batter, Barnhill was ready.