On Tuesday, the UF softball team reclaimed the top spot in the national rankings. On Wednesday, the Gators showed why they are the nation's No. 1 team.
With center fielder Kim Waleszonia out of the lineup with a knee injury until at least the end of the regular season, the Gators will need someone to step up at the plate. This weekend, Kelsey Bruder answered the call.
The UF softball team will have to face more than just the start of its Southeastern Conference season this weekend at South Carolina. The Gators will also have to try to fill the hole in their lineup left by injured center fielder Kim Waleszonia.
UF coach Tim Walton announced at his weekly press conference Tuesday morning that senior center fielder Kim Waleszonia suffered a tibial plateau fracture in her left knee and will likely not be back on the field for the No. 2 Gators until the postseason.
It was a weekend full of wins for the UF softball team, but the Gators also suffered one very costly loss.
After shutting out No. 6 Michigan on Wednesday, UF pitcher Stacey Nelson said she felt like she could have pitched four more games. She might have the opportunity to do that this weekend.
After taking down the No. 6 team in the nation, Stacey Nelson felt like she was just getting started.
Most teams use the first games of their seasons to prepare for their conference schedule and the postseason, but not the UF softball team.
For the UF softball team, the difference between a win and a loss might be the difference between facing great pitching and the best pitching.
The UF softball team's journey to California was more than just a chance to play some of the top teams in the country. It gave many Gators originally from the Golden State an opportunity to shine in front of their families and friends.
Conventional wisdom says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
The UF softball team didn't let the rain keep it from catching fire at the plate this weekend.
Most college softball teams are lucky if they have one dominant pitcher, the kind who can throw a shutout on any given day.
After falling 1-0 to Baylor on Sunday, UF coach Tim Walton placed all the blame for the loss on his hitters. Wednesday, the Gators showed their true potential at the plate.
Sometimes a loss is just a loss - nothing more, nothing less.
Even the No. 1 team in the nation can stumble out of the gate.
Five minutes of tears washed away four months of dreams.
When Ali Gardiner steps into the batter's box, she only hears one voice resonating from the stands.
After finishing 70-5 and rewriting the school's record book last year, coach Tim Walton knew his team would enter this season with a target on its back.
UF coach Tim Walton confirmed junior All-American Francesca Enea re-injured her right knee during fall training in a press conference Monday.
Solutions by The State News
