Florida stormed back from an early 4-1 deficit to take its fifth SEC series of the season.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 10th-ranked Florida softball team claimed its fifth Southeastern Conference series of the season with a comeback victory, 7-6, over South Carolina early Sunday afternoon at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The Gators (37-10, 12-6 SEC) struck for the first run of the game early in the bottom of the first inning on an unusual sequence of events that transpired on the infield during a fielder’s choice double play that also included a Gamecocks (30-17, 6-12 SEC) throwing error.
However, South Carolina would go on to score four runs take the lead, 4-1, in the top of the second inning via a pair of hits and a SAC fly. Florida responded in the home half of the inning as Baylee Goddard drew a leadoff walk, which was followed by an infield single back to the circle hit by freshman Ariel Kowalewski to put a pair of runners on with no outs.
Emily Wilkie closed the lead down to 4-2 in the next at-bat with a pinch-hit RBI single down the left field line that scored Goddard. Shortly after SC’s ace pitcher Alana Vawter (13-9) was brought in relief and was able to get out of the frame with no further damage.
After a scoreless third inning, the Gamecocks were able to string together three consecutive hits to push their lead out to 5-2. The rally prompted the Orange & Blue to bring in Mackenzie Wooten (2-0) in relief and the graduate transfer was able to force SC to strand the bases loaded.
Florida’s big inning came in the bottom of the fourth inning as UF was able to storm back and take the lead 6-5. Goddard led the inning off with a single up the middle, which was followed by Kowalewski’s second hit of the game. The freshman lifted the 2-1 offering from Vawter over the right center field wall for her sixth home run of the season.
The rally continued when Wilkie worked a five-pitch walk and later scored on Kendra Falby’s triple to center field that tied the game. Sophomore Jocelyn Erickson gave the Gators the lead later in the inning and scored Falby from third on an RBI single to left field.
The Gamecocks fought back to tie the game 6-6 in the top of the fifth inning via a one out single and a double down the left field line, but the tie would be short lived as the Orange & Blue would retake the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning 7-6. After a one-out walk drawn by Otis, Erickson provided the game winning RBI base hit that would score Otis all the way from first base.
Ava Brown entered in relief of Wooten in the top of the seventh and held SC scoreless to secure the first collegiate save of her career.
Next up for the Gators is a non-conference midweek contest against in-state rival No. 18 Florida State at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium this upcoming Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Notables:
* The Gators recorded 13 hits against the Gamecocks, which is the 21st game this season that the team has recorded 10 or more hits.
* It’s the first time the team has recorded 10 or more hits in a game since March 28, at Mississippi State.
* Florida had five batters record multi-hit games today: Kendra Falby (2-for-4), Korbe Otis (2-for-2), Jocelyn Erickson (2-for-3), Reagan Walsh (2-for-4) and Ariel Kowalewski (2-for3).
* Mackenzie Wooten earned two wins in relief this weekend against the Gamecocks and is now 2-0 on the season with only one earned run allowed through 11.1 IP.
* Her 3.0 IP in today’s win was her longest outing since May 25, 2022 when Virginia took on Kansas.
* Freshman Ariel Kowalewski hit her sixth home run of the season after going 2-for-3 at the plate.
* Freshman Ava Brown earned the first collegiate save of her career in today’s win.
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