The Gators’ postseason journey will only go as far as their timely hitting takes them.
Florida plays a doubleheader beginning tonight at 5 against LSU with a focus on driving home runners in scoring position. Although Florida swept Florida International in a three-game set this past weekend, the Gators struggled with runners on base.
In three games, Florida left 24 runners on base and 17 of those runners were in scoring position. And on two separate occasions, the Gators ended the inning with the bags full.
Coach Tim Walton said his team needs to improve the situational hitting aspect of the game in time for the postseason, which begins May 10.
“We did a poor job with the bases loaded,” Walton said after Friday’s games.
“Look at our overall stats on the season, and bases loaded has been one of our statistics that isn’t very good. And we’re going to have to get better at that. It’s maybe the wrong hitters up at the wrong time, that’s sometimes the key.”
Tonight’s doubleheader marks the beginning of an eight-game stint against Southeastern Conference schools, and as the schedule winds to an end, every runner becomes more valuable.
Walton has adjusted his lineup multiple times to combat a poor batting average with runners in scoring position.
With just eight games left, Walton has still not found the lineup that will most efficiently drive runners home.
“It comes and goes, hits and clutch hits and stuff like that,” junior Ensley Gammel said. “So you always just go cheer for your teammates and stuff, and know you’re going to catch a break sometime.”
But the Gators were helped on offense this weekend in part by the Panthers’ pitching staff, which ranked 124th in the nation with a 3.11 ERA on April 16.
Two of Florida’s next three opponents, LSU and Alabama, are ranked in the top 20 in the country in earned run average.
“We’re facing some of the best pitching in the SEC with the remainder of our schedule,” Walton said on April 15. “It’s going to be tough. We’re probably not going to be getting as many hits as we’re accustomed to getting. So we’re going to have learn to deal with the failure part of the game but really learn to (situationally) hit, being able to execute.”
Freshman Lauren Haeger said hitting with runners on can be a challenge at times. Because hitting with fellow teammates on second and third base is such a vital part of the game, Walton makes sure to go over it while the team is training.
“We do a lot of situational hitting in practice all the time,” Haeger said. “So, it stinks when it doesn’t work out as well. But we know we can make up for it in the end.”
And during the Gators’ six-game winning streak, they have been able to overcome their early struggles of hitting with runners on. Despite leaving an additional 21 runners aboard, including 11 in scoring position, Florida swept Auburn before facing off against FIU.
But the Gators outscoring their opponents 34-10 in the past six games should not be an indication of what to expect against the Tigers. Out of all the teams in the SEC, LSU has given Florida the most problems by winning 28 of the 46 games played between the two schools.
“We’ve got a challenge,” Walton said. “We’ve never talked about what’s at stake. We’re just trying to get better and hopefully make a great run for the postseason.”
UF shortstop Cheyenne Coyle runs to third against Chattanooga on March 14. Florida has struggled of late to drive in runners in scoring position.
