Kelsey Horton has been a versatile player since she arrived at Florida in 2010. She is now playing the role of one of the Gators’ hottest hitters.
Since Florida started its series against Mississippi State on April 5, Horton is 8 for 19 at the plate with three home runs and 10 RBI, three of which came in the Gators’ 8-0 win against the Seminoles on Wednesday in Tallahassee.
Horton will look to carry that momentum into No. 3 Florida’s (42-5, 14-4 Southeastern Conference) three-game series against Longwood (33-11, 13-5 Big South Conference) this weekend. The series is the Gators’ only three-game set against a non-conference opponent this season.
“This (was) our last midweek game ever,” Horton said. “We’re closing out the end of the season and trying to finish strong.”
Horton is on her way to closing out the season strong. She is hitting .317 in conference play and has a batting average of .421 in her past eight games.
Horton has moved around the field during the past two seasons. Although primarily an outfielder, Horton spent much of last season behind the plate. After junior catcher Brittany Schutte suffered a jaw injury and retired, Horton took over catching duties from the career .342 hitter.
Although she had experience at catcher, Horton spent most of her playing time prior to 2012 in the outfield or as the designated player.
“Everyone’s kind of gone through the same thing, just doing whatever you can to help your team,” Horton said.
As the Gators’ No. 1 catcher in 2012, Horton had the best season of her career, batting .329 with a career-high 13 home runs in 59 games.
This season, Horton’s numbers have tapered off. Her average is down 33 points at .296 and her slugging percentage is down from .645 to .600. However, she is still one of the Gators’ key offensive producers. Her average is fourth-best on the team, and she ranks second in doubles and home runs coming into the last series of her college career.
“Having a player like Kelsey Horton on the roster is huge,” coach Tim Walton said.
Bache picking up slack: When sophomore Alyssa Bache started against Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss., on March 31, rain cut her afternoon short. With a wet pitching circle and a soaked softball, Bache surrendered six runs in the fifth inning.
Since that disastrous frame, Bache has tossed 13 innings and surrendered only one run for an ERA of 0.54.
Bache continued her hot streak against Florida State on Wednesday, pitching five shutout innings and only allowing two hits.
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“I was just trying to get outs however I could,” Bache said.
The Gators’ staff struggled during Florida’s series against Kentucky last weekend. Junior Hannah Rogers and sophomore Lauren Haeger gave up a combined 10 earned runs in the three games.
“She did great,” Walton said. “I’m excited for her.”
“She came in did great against Kentucky, so yeah, I’ll give her another midweek start. I’m excited about having three options right now.”
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Kelsey Horton (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Horton homered in Florida's 10-4 victory against Missouri to clinch the SEC Tournament championship.
