OKLAHOMA CITY — Kelsey Bruder swung and missed at a high 2-2 pitch.
Her season, and UF career, ended.
With Arizona State players engrossing the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
pitcher's circle to celebrate their school‘s second national
championship, Florida's season met its demise — a 7-2 defeat in
Game 2 of the Women's College World Series championship series.
“No
one wants to end their career on a loss,” senior Stephanie
Brombacher said. “It’s tough to swallow, but I’m so proud of my
teammates.”
Although it ended in a devastating loss, it began promising.
For
the first time in three games against the Sun Devils (60-6) this
WCWS, the Gators (56-13) scored first on a first-inning Brittany
Schutte sacrifice fly to left that plated Michelle Moultrie — who
was later announced as co-WCWS MVP with ASU ace Dallas
Escobedo.
But
the early momentum quickly evaporated in the Midwest heat as
Brombacher got into trouble, giving up three straight singles to
open the second. Arizona State picked up three runs in the frame on
a bases-loaded Alix Johnson walk and a Katelyn Boyd two-run
single.
The
Sun Devils added on in the third inning, piling up three hits and a
walk highlighted by a Johnson bloop single to right that scored two
runs.
It
was another blazing start for Arizona State, who outscored Florida
19-1 in the first three innings over their past three meetings.
“Ultimately, that was the better team that won today,” UF coach Tim
Walton said.
Meanwhile, the bottom of Florida’s lineup continued to be a sore
spot for the Gators. Kasey Fagan finished the WCWS going 2 for 19
in the nine-hole.
Once again, Escobedo controlled the previously dynamic Florida bats
with her effectively wild rise-ball. The Gators had some success
laying off the pitch early but seemed to get desperate late while
trailing. They popped up the pitch 10 times after the first
inning.
“She’s good,” Walton said. “She started mixing her speeds a little
bit more today.”
It
was only the second time this season Florida has lost after scoring
a run in the first inning.
UF’s pitching was just as wild Tuesday night as it has been in its
other matchups with ASU this WCWS. In three games against the Sun
Devils in Oklahoma City, Gators pitching issued 18 walks. In
Florida’s other four WCWS games, the pitching duo of Brombacher and
Hannah Rogers walked a total of eight batters.
With the loss, Florida ushers out its most successful senior class
in program history. Brombacher, Bruder, Megan Bush, Tiffany
DeFelice and Aja Paculba helped lead the Gators to four consecutive
WCWS appearances.
The
group only lost 33 games in four years but could never bring UF or
the Southeastern Conference its first softball national
championship.
“Obviously losing here again is heartbreaking, but I’m definitely
proud of what we’ve achieved over the last four years,” Bruder
said. “I think I bettered my work ethic. I bettered my character.
Just being around these girls is a great, great, great
experience.”
