Lauren Haeger does not let what happens in the batter’s box carry into the pitching circle.
The sophomore pitcher has only one hit in the past four games. Despite going hitless against USF, she allowed only one run in six innings against the Bulls.
Haeger notched her 11th victory as the No. 3 Gators (39-4, 12-3 Southeastern Conference) run-ruled the Bulls (32-12, 10-1 Big East) 9-1 on Wednesday night at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The win was the right-hander’s first against South Florida since she was outdueled by USF ace Sara Nevins in the 2012 regular season. Haeger played first base when the Bulls ended the Gators’ season in the NCAA Regionals.
“I’m still a little bitter, I think I’ll forever be bitter,” Haeger said.
Haeger channeled her bitterness into a strong start, fanning the first two USF batters she faced.
“During warmups, I was really feeling good,” she said.
“When they told me I was pitching, I was really excited.”
But Haeger struggled in the second inning, giving up a leadoff double to USF third baseman Kenshyra Jackson and allowing a run on a single by right fielder Ashli Goff. After the second, Haeger settled down and allowed only two base runners.
“Her tempo was great,” coach Tim Walton said.
“She threw a lot of strikes, got a lot of first-pitch strikes, had them chasing some pitches when she got ahead.”
Florida responded in the bottom half of the second. Freshman Kelsey Stewart got the Gators on the board with an RBI single, and freshman Kirsti Merritt cleared the bases with a two-run triple to give UF a 3-1 lead.
Freshmen continued contributing in the third inning. First baseman Taylor Schwarz led off the frame with a double and scored on a bases-loaded walk to left fielder Jessica Damico.
After scoring 16 of 18 runs via homers against Mississippi State last weekend, Florida relied on base hits against USF.
For the first time since defeating UCF 2-1 on April 3, the Gators did not hit a home run.
Even Haeger, who leads the team with 12 home runs, got into the small-ball action, dropping down a sacrifice bunt with two runners on in the fifth inning.
“I dropped the bunt down with Lauren Haeger, arguably one of our most powerful hitters,” Walton said.
“That’s a message to all 14 of my hitters that I’m going to bunt with any one of you in any situation.”
Florida clinched the run-rule victory in the sixth inning.
The Gators took a 7-1 lead on a pinch-hit single by freshman Taylore Fuller, bringing Stewart to the plate with two runners on.
Stewart slapped a ball to third base, and Jackson tried to throw it to shortstop Kourtney Salvarola, who was covering third.
After ball sailed high over Salvarola’s head, sophomore Briana Little scored and Fuller followed, ending the game early.
“It’s not the number of hits, it’s not the number of walks, it’s not the number of runs,” Walton said. “It’s about being quality, and being able to take advantage of some situations.”
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Lauren Haeger stands in the circle between pitches during Florida's 4-1 home loss to USF on March 28, 2012. Haeger struck out five in the Gators 9-1 win against the Bulls on Wednesday.
