After breaking freshman records for batting average, home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage last year, expectations were high for Brittany Schutte.
The sophomore catcher/right fielder was one of four Gators selected to the 2011 Preseason All-Southeastern Conference Team and one of 21 players invited to the 2011 USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Camp.
While she acknowledges her play this year hasn’t met her standards, Florida’s cleanup hitter seems to have turned the corner as of late.
“She’s been pressing a bit and trying to hit the ball harder,” UF coach Tim Walton said. “But when you get some players that are doing well around her, her at-bats have been a lot better, and that showed this weekend.”
Entering last weekend’s Auburn series, Schutte had been struggling mightily at the plate.
In conference play, Schutte had managed only 13 hits and struck out 24 times in 53 at-bats.
“It’s been more mental than anything,” she said. “Sometimes I beat myself up too much.”
After going hitless in UF’s 14-4 opening win against the Tigers, the slugger rebounded with a huge performance in the final two games.
With seniors Aja Paculba, Kelsey Bruder and Megan Bush protecting her in the lineup, Schutte changed her approach, and the results were impressive.
She went 3 for 3 with a walk in Saturday’s 8-2 win and followed that up with two homers in Sunday’s 13-4 blowout.
“I started thinking more of getting the bat on the ball and hitting line drives rather than going for the big hit every time,” Schutte said. “It helps to have them around me because I know they will produce good numbers even if I’m in a slump.”
Although she has struck out 39 times compared to 25 all last season, Walton said Schutte is on pace with most of her other numbers and has shown good patience with 35 walks.
Reducing her strikeouts will be key as Schutte aims to continue her hot hitting when No. 8 Florida (37-7, 13-6 SEC) hosts UCF (18-24, 8-7 Conference USA) tonight at 6.
With seven different players knocking a home run last weekend, the Gators’ lineup will be a tough match for the Golden Knights, who have only hit 15 home runs compared to UF’s 89.
BRUDER RECEIVES SEC HONOR: For the second time this season, Bruder was named the SEC Player of the Week.
The Gators’ senior left fielder was a force against Auburn, going 7 for 13 with five RBIs and five runs scored in the series sweep.
Bruder was especially impressive in the power department, homering once in each game as UF slugged 15 long balls in the series.
