Maybe they should have saved some runs for game two.
After pummeling Ball State 21-0, the No. 2 Florida softball team
(24-1, 2-0 SEC) lost its first game of the year against No. 16
Nebraska 1-0 at the USF Under Armour Showcase in Clearwater.
Despite another solid outing by freshman Hannah Rogers, the Gators
ran into one of the top pitchers in the nation in Ashley
Hagemann.
The junior held the Gators to only two hits in seven innings,
striking out eight batters in her 14th win of the season.
It was a tough night all around for the Gators’ lineup, as the 6-8
hitters — Kelsey Horton, Cheyenne Coyle and Ensley Gammel — all
struck out twice.
Although Rogers allowed only one run on four hits, she suffered her
first loss of her career.
As poor as the offense was in the nightcap, the story couldn’t have
been more different against Ball State.
UF’s powerful and patient lineup feasted on an inconsistent
pitching staff, scoring a season-high 21 runs on 17 walks and 12
hits.
The Gators wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning,
as senior Aja Paculba hit a two-run homer to right center, her
eighth of the year.
Megan Bush highlighted a five-run third inning as she tallied her
10th homer, a three-run shot to center.
However, the Gators saved their biggest offensive outburst for the
fifth inning.
UF had its highest-scoring inning of the season, putting up a 10
spot on just three hits.
The Gators capitalized on Audrey Workman’s inability to find the
strike zone, as they scored five runs on consecutive bases-loaded
walks.
After Coyle hit an RBI single, Gammel made the Cardinals pay for
their erratic pitching.
The sophomore smashed a grand slam to center to cap off the
offensive onslaught.
Senior Stephanie Brombacher didn’t need too much help as she
improved to 14-0 with four innings of three-hit ball.
The Gators will look to respond to their first loss as they wrap up
the tournament against host USF at 1 p.m. today.
