Michelle Moultrie is in a class of her own.
The turbulent storm that was the off-season swept away eight Gators, including the winningest senior class in Florida history. Left behind is Moultrie, the lone senior who now anchors a youthful squad with high hopes.
Moultrie shined last season, setting six UF single-season records, including batting clip (.443) and hits (101). Her All-American season culminated in a trip to the Women’s College World Series where, despite UF losing in the finals, she captured Co-Most Outstanding Player honors.
However, the Gators’ lineup also featured All-Americans Kelsey Bruder and Aja Paculba, as well as All-Southeastern Conference players Stephanie Brombacher and Megan Bush. With those 2011 seniors gone, all eyes are on Moultrie.
“She has really taken on and
embraced that leadership type role that she didn’t have in previous years, [because] she didn’t have to,” coach Tim Walton said. “She has really stepped up into that role.”
Moultrie has not used her spotlight to become a vocal leader; instead, she allows her play to do the talking.
“Being in the top of the lineup, I have to be a good example [by] trying to get on base and stay within myself and who I am,” Moultrie said. “I’m not Kelsey Bruder as a hitter. I have to stay within what I can do.”
Leading the 2011 USA Women’s National Team to the Gold Medal at the 2011 Pan American Games and helping Florida to three consecutive WCWS appearances, Moultrie has already proven her play to the seven incoming freshmen, who come in ranked as the No. 1 class in the nation, according to ESPN Rise.
Jessica Damico, one of those highly touted freshmen, defined Moultrie without even playing a game with her.
“Our senior, Michelle, without talking, she’s a leader,” Damico said.
The sophomores and juniors also share the freshman’s impression of Moultrie being the silent and powerful captain. Sophomore Cheyenne Coyle saw firsthand Moultrie’s leadership qualities throughout last season.
“Michelle is a great leader by example,” Coyle said. “People will just sit and be quiet to watch Michelle. And if Michelle does say something, everybody is dead quiet and they listen. But definitely Michelle is the silent leader.”
Losing the seniors was a major blow to the Gators, which are now forced to lean more on the inexperienced players. However, the Gators believe as long as Moultrie performs on the field, the remainder of the team will learn by just watching and will be inspired to keep up.
Walton said he doesn’t feel like he has the No. 2 team in the nation right now, though that’s where the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll rates Florida. He relies on Moultrie to prove UF is worthy of that top-two ranking and possibly catapult the team to a fifth straight WCWS appearance.
Though Moultrie has been dubbed “The Silent Leader” by her teammates, she does sometimes get vocal about things.
When asked if Moultrie will continue to lead the Gators at the top of the lineup, Walton said “I asked Michelle if she wants to bat one or two, and she said one. So we’re batting her one. And that’s the truth.”
