OKLAHOMA CITY — In a continuation of UF's woes against the Pac-10 in Women's College World Series finals, Florida (56-12) lost 14-4 to Arizona State (59-6) on Monday in Game 1 of the best-of-three national championship series.
After tearing through the early innings Sunday against Alabama, Florida fell victim to opening troubles.
In the first inning, there was a controversial no-call on a pitch that appeared to hit Tiffany DeFelice's right arm.
The botched call resulted in a lengthy umpire confrontation for UF coach Tim Walton and a bevy of postgame criticism on umpire Chris Drumm, who the Gators previously complained about on Friday.
"It didn't hit the bat at all," Florida's catcher said. "I don't know if bone sounds like bat, but it hit me right in the arm. It welled up like a snowball. ... It was a rough night with that umpire, and it was a rough time the last time we had her, too."
"I hope nobody twists this and says I'm blaming the umpire on our loss," Kelsey Bruder said. "But again, it was just absolutely miserable. Miserable. The worst ever."
Florida's frustration led to uncharacteristic errors going forward.
Hannah Rogers — who walked a career-high eight batters against ASU on Friday — walked two and gave up an unearned run in the first when Michelle Moultrie botched a grounder in center, her first error since last season's WCWS. Instead of maintaining her composure, things fell completely to pieces for the freshman All-American in the second.
With two outs and a runner on second, Rogers was ordered to intentionally walk Sun Devils lead-off hitter Katelyn Boyd in order to face Lesley Rogers — Arizona State's hits leader at the WCWS entering Monday. The center fielder walked to start a three-batter offensive rampage. Kaylyn Castillo and Annie Lockwood hit back-to-back RBI singles before senior Krista Donnenwirth cleared the bases with a blast to the left-field bleachers at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
"We wanted to come out and prove a point that we had a great offense," ASU's five-hole hitter Donnenwirth said.
The aftermath was a 7-0 UF deficit — shocking for a team that had defeated its opponents by a total score of 30-6 since Friday night's 6-5 loss to ASU.
Stephanie Brombacher made a 3.2-inning relief appearance, bailing Rogers out of a nightmare, but also exposing Florida's only other pitching option with two possible games left.
Arizona State's Nos. 3-4-5 hitters went a combined 7 for 10 with three round-trippers and 10 RBIs. It was the team's highest run total since a March 5 win over New Mexico State.
Offensively, the Gators appeared to regress from any adjustments they might have made against Sun Devils freshman phenom Dallas Escobedo — who pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and striking out seven.
Florida popped up Escobedo's hazardous rise-ball eight times - four landed in the glove of an infielder.
Overall, the Gators once again strayed away from the run manufacturing principle that has gotten them through the postseason. They stranded the only three base runners they were able to advance into scoring position.
"We'll spend time reevaluating our situation, trying to get everybody on board to be committed and be as positive as we possibly can," Walton said.
For Florida, a chance for revenge will come Tuesday night at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
