Whatever rust the Gators had on Thursday, they shook it off Friday afternoon.
Florida’s first four hitters alone UF’s totals from Thursday’s 2-1 win against Eastern Michigan. In a rematch against EMU, Florida scored a season-high 16 runs
The game started with a pop thanks to senior Michelle Moultrie, freshman Lauren Haeger and junior Brittany Schutte batting No. 2 through No. 4 in the order.
Moultrie hit a triple, followed by a double from Haeger and a home run off the bat of Schutte. The Gators offense stayed kicking throughout the game, scoring at least three runs every chance they got up to hit.
Schutte and Moultrie vied to steal the spotlight offensively. Schutte lit up the scoreboard, going 3-for-3 with five RBIs including her third home run of the year. Moultrie went 3-for-4, knocking in all three of her RBIS with an inside-the-park home run.
Coach Tim Walton even let freshman Bailey Castro take an at-bat, even though she is still recovering from a broken foot. Fresh off her crutches, Castro came through with a three-run single.
Freshman pitcher Alyssa Bache (2-0) was dealing and confusing the Eagles the entire game. In her complete-game shutout, Bache allowed just three hits while striking out four for her second win of the season.
Immediately following Florida’s victory over EMU, Walton led his squad right back onto the field to face Gardner-Webb. The Bulldogs played victim to the Gators as did the Eagles.
Even without Schutte, who left the game after she was hit in face with the ball while on the base paths in the second, Florida scored nine runs on nine hits.
Moultrie continued to excel at the plate, hitting 2 for 3 with her second home run of the day. Junior Kelsey Horton did her best Schutte impression, sending a ball over the fence and catching a four-hit, 11-strikeout shutout performance by freshman Lauren Haeger (5-1).
