The Florida softball team cruised by Jacksonville to close out midweek action.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida softball team defeated Jacksonville, 9-1 (6), to complete the midweek sweep during its home opener Wednesday evening at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The Gators (6-1) picked up another complete game performance in the circle from freshman right-handed pitcher Keagan Rothrock (2-1, 1 SV) in the victory over the Dolphins (2-4). The Whiteland, Ind. native hurled six complete innings and struck out a season-high nine batters for her third complete-game of the year.
Rothrock received plenty of help from her offense as UF immediately broke onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning of play. Junior Kendra Falby immediately put pressure on the JU defense and forced an errant throw after racing to first for an infield single that allowed her to advance to second.
Junior Korbe Otis followed up with a four-pitch walk that put runners on first and second for graduate senior Skylar Wallace. Wallace struck the 1-1 offering from Dolphins starting pitcher Skylar Waggoner (1-2) and blasted it to center field for an RBI double that gave UF a 1-0 lead.
Wallace to make an impact for the Orange & Blue in the bottom of the third inning when she recorded her first triple of the season with a two-out shot off the wall in right field. Sophomore Jocelyn Erickson followed up with a clutch RBI single up the middle to easily score Wallace during the following at-bat to extend the lead out to 2-0.
Meanwhile, Rothrock kept the Jacksonville offense off balance as she didn’t allow a hit until the top of the fifth inning. JU finally strung together back-to-back-to-back hits to open the frame, but was only able to plate one run and close down the lead to 2-1.
The Gators bounced back and scored six runs in the home half of the fifth inning to take an 8-1 lead. Falby picked up her second hit of the game with a single up the middle, which was promptly followed by Otis’ second home run of the season that stretched the lead out to 4-1. Wallace produced her third hit of the day, Erickson then notched her second single and Baylee Goddard loaded the bases via a walk to set the stage for back-to-back squeeze bunts from freshman Ariel Kowalewski and graduate senior Avery Goelz that scored Wallace and Erickson.
Florida put the game away in the bottom of the sixth inning for the run-rule victory. Otis earned her second walk of the day to lead off the frame, while Skylar Wallace drew a walk that moved Otis into scoring position for Erickson. Erickson ended the game moments later with a line drive double to center field that scored Otis from second.
The Gators return to action this Friday, Feb. 16, to take on Georgia Southern at 3 p.m. during the first day of the Bubly Invitational.
Notables:
* Freshman Keagan Rothrock hurled her third complete-game of the year and struck out a season-high nine batters in the effort, while allowing only one run on three hits with one walk.
* Korbe Otis launched her second home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning. She is now tied with Reagan Walsh and Skylar Wallace for the team lead in home runs.
* The Gators tallied two triples in tonight’s contest and Wallace and Katie Kistler both ripped shots to the wall. UF now has three team triples on the year.
* Skylar Wallace was a home run shy of the cycle tonight as she hit a double in the first inning, a triple in the third and a single in the fifth to go 3-for-3 at the plate. She drew a walk during her last plate appearance in the bottom of the sixth inning.
* Jocelyn Erickson and Kendra Falby are now on six-game hitting streaks as Erickson went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Falby was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
* Wallace, Otis and freshman Ariel Kowalewski have reached base safely in all seven games so far this season.
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