Sports | Softball - The Independent Florida Alligator

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 | SOFTBALL

Home Away From Home: UF’s softball team begins Judi Garman Classic in California

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 28, 2018

Gators catcher Janell Wheaton is stoked.

The Gators softball team will face Georgia at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

The meaning behind UF’s softball team’s Sunflower Saturdays

By Mark Stine | Feb. 26, 2018

As it took the field Saturday in front of its home crowd at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, Florida’s softball team wasn’t focused on just wins and losses. The Gators had something else on their minds.

Kelly Barnhill pitched her first perfect game – Florida's eighth in school history –against Georgia Southern.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

PITCH PERFECT: Barnhill spotless against Eagles

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 26, 2018

The sounds of about 1,600 clapping Gators fans resounded throughout Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium as Kelly Barnhill readied herself for her final throw of the day.

Junior Kelly Barnhill pitched her first career perfect game Sunday afternoon.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Kelly Barnhill baffles Georgia Southern on the way to hurling perfect game

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 25, 2018

The sounds of about 1,600 clapping Gators fans resounded in Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium as pitcher Kelly Barnhill readied herself for the final throw of the day.

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

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | SOFTBALL

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 | 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.