Tim Walton is a man of the present, not the future.
After Florida’s 3-0 loss to Texas eliminated it from the Women’s College World Series, the UF coach praised his team’s successful 2013 season and underplayed the potential of next year’s squad.
Walton wanting to relish in the moment is understandable, but how could he not be excited about next year’s team?
Florida loses only two seniors – outfielder Kelsey Horton and pinch runner Ensley Gammel – and returns eight of its nine starters from a 2013 team that won 58 games, cruised to the Southeastern Conference title and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
For a talented Gators squad with such a high ceiling, next year’s expectations will be national championship or bust.
Florida brings back a solid rotation of right-handers, which features National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s All-American First Team selections Hannah Rogers and Lauren Haeger, and Alyssa Bache at No. 3.
Despite a rocky outing at the WCWS, Rogers finished the year with a 1.71 ERA – 35th in the nation. Haeger finished the year with an ERA of 2.35. As Florida’s cleanup hitter, the sophomore led the Gators with 18 homers.
Florida’s young infield had a year to mesh and should be even more in tune next season. The Gators return Taylor Schwarz at first, Kelsey Stewart at second, Stephanie Tofft at third and Katie Medina at shortstop.
The three basemen, Haeger and freshman center fielder Kirsti Merritt combined to hit ..322 in 2013.
Medina struggled at the plate in her first year as a starter, but the sophomore thrived on defense in the NCAA Tournament and proved her worth at the position. If Medina fails to improve offensively in 2014, UF can still use Bailey Castro as a pinch hitter.
Collectively, Florida finished the season ranked 112th in the country in batting average (.278). That number should only improve next season.
Florida’s two catchers should split innings next year. Freshman Taylore Fuller saw her hitting improve as the year progressed, batting .364 and tallying two of UF’s five home runs in the NCAAs.
Aubree Munro carved a niche as a defensive specialist in her first year as a Gator.
Sophomores Briana Little and Jessica Damico, who both came up big in extras during Florida’s 15-inning thriller against Nebraska on Saturday, should also share playing time in 2014.
UF will add four newcomers in 2014 – freshmen Delanie Gourley, Justine McLean and Chelsea Herndon, and Daytona Junior College transfer Francesca Martinez.
Gourley, a left-handed pitcher, will provide a new dimension to Florida’s pitching group.
It’s likely that at least one of the four additions will break out and contribute immediately in 2014. Three Gators freshmen started at least 57 contests in 2013. Plus, Walton never guarantees anything – he loves to leave competition open at each position.
The future looks bright for the Gators – even if Walton doesn’t want to take his shades off just yet.
Contact Landon Watnick at lwatnick@alligator.org.
Coach Tim Walton studies the field during Florida’s 11-1 win against USF on May 18 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
