The Gators split their two weekend matchups with the Blue Devils.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 2 Florida softball team (13-1) suffered its first loss of the season on the final day of the Bubly Invitational, falling to No. 14 Duke, 8-1, at Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium.
The Blue Devils (7-3) scored five unearned runs on a pair of Gator fielding errors in the top of the third to take an early 5-0 lead.
Sophomore Mia Williams cut into the Blue Devil lead with her third home run of the season, a two-out solo shot off the top of the scoreboard in the bottom of the second.
Duke added three runs on four hits to go ahead, 8-1, in the top of the fourth.
Sophomore Keagan Rothrock (6-1) gave up her first earned runs of the season, ending a streak of 34.2 innings pitched, in the frame.
She exited the game after the fourth, finishing with a line of eight runs, three earned, eight hits and four strikeouts.
Ava Brown entered the circle to open the fifth, with the sophomore tossing two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks.
Kara Hammock pitched the final inning of the game, holding the Blue Devils scoreless in the frame.
Korbe Otis, Gabi Comia, Brown and Williams combined for Florida’s four hits in the loss.
Up Next:
The Gators head to Jacksonville on Feb. 19 for a 6 p.m. match up at North Florida.
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