Briana Little gets on base the hard way.
The sophomore outfielder has been hit by a pitch more than any other softball Gator in school history. She set the record on Wednesday when UCF pitcher Sam Greiner beaned her in the bottom of the sixth.
“It feels good, because that means I’m working hard … and doing whatever it takes to get on,” Little said.
Francesca Enea, who was hit 15 times in 59 games in 2010, previously held the UF record. Little eclipsed that mark in only 38 games. But despite setting the Florida record, other batters boast more bruises than Little does. She ranks fourth in the nation in hit by pitches. Iowa’s Bradi Wall leads the NCAA with 21 bean balls.
Little does not know why she has been hit so many times, but she was happy to continue getting on base.
“She’s not going up there to get hit,” coach Tim Walton said. “She doesn’t lean into the strike zone. Those are balls that are in the batter’s box.”
Little’s 16 hit by pitches have contributed to her team-leading .492 on-base percentage. When she does get an inside pitch that stays over the plate, opposing pitchers pay. Little is second on the team in home runs and slugging percentage and third in RBI.
“She also hits home runs because people are afraid to come inside (because) they’re going to hit her,” Walton said.
Walton said Little’s attitude has changed from last season. In 2012, Little only played 35 games and started 11. She had an on-base percentage of .316 and was hit by two pitches.
“It takes a special human being to know that it’s going to hurt,” Walton said. “But I think she likes that pain better than she likes the pain of striking out, and letting herself down and not playing.”
Walton resting ace: After pitching Hannah Rogers in Florida’s last 13 games, Walton sat the junior right-hander against USF on Wednesday, despite Rogers posting a 0.68 ERA against the Bulls in four career appearances.
“We can beat anybody, but we need multiple pitchers,” Walton said.
“We need to give Lauren (Haeger) and we need to give Alyssa (Bache) an opportunity to gobble up some innings.”
Rogers will likely get back into the circle for the Gators against the Wildcats this weekend. Rogers has not fared well against Kentucky in her career.
Rogers’ ERA against the Wildcats is an uncharacteristic 6.10. The last time Florida traveled to Lexington, she started three games in a row and gave up 24 runs during the weekend, including all 10 runs in a 10-2 loss to Kentucky on April 1, 2011.
However, in 2012, Rogers pitched 11 innings versus the Wildcats and only allowed one earned run.
“Kentucky’s swinging the bat very well,” Walton said. “I’m going to go back and put the emphasis on out pitching and defense. We can’t give teams too many extra outs.”
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Junior Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 7-3 win against FSU on March 27 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers struck out 11 in her complete-game victory against Longwood on Saturday.
