After throwing a no-hitter against Wisconsin on Feb. 9, Lauren Haeger thought she had room for improvement.
Despite not giving up a hit and tying a career high with 11 strikeouts against the Badgers, the junior left-handed pitcher gave up three walks — one of which scored a runner when the bases were loaded.
“It was cool to get a no-hitter but I didn’t do a great job,” Haeger said on Feb. 11. “One of our goals as a pitching staff is to limit our walks. Walks are free and you want to make them earn it. So that was kind of a bummer.”
But through the first 6.2 innings of No. 1 Florida’s 12-2 rout of Troy (5-8-1) on Saturday, Haeger was perfect.
In Florida’s first game on Day 2 of the Lipton Invitational, Haeger looked unstoppable. The junior had four strikeouts, no hits and no walks with one out to go against the Trojans.
While Haeger gave up two hits — including a two-run homer — before getting the final out of the game, her outing in the circle was arguably the best of the season.
After Haeger almost threw the first perfect game of her career, senior Hannah Rogers followed up with a dominating game of her own.
In Florida’s 8-0 five-inning win against Indiana (1-10), Rogers threw her third career no-hitter. After walking Indiana’s B. Meyer, Rogers was flawless through the rest of the game, striking out six batters and not allowing any others to reach base.
But Florida’s (15-0) success extended further than the pitcher’s circle on Saturday.
In her first start of the season, junior Briana Little hit a two-run slam to left field to open up scoring against Indiana.
Until the game against the Hoosiers, Little’s role has been minor. In her 10 plate appearances prior to Saturday, the Middleburg native had one hit and drew four walks.
“Bri’s done nothing but good things for me,” coach Tim Walton said after Florida’s doubleheader on Friday. “I really like the way she comes off the bench.”
At the plate, the Gators had six batters with multiples hits, with sophomore Kelsey Stewart leading the way with five hits through the two contests. Haeger led the team with five RBIs throughout the doubleheader.
The Gators will finish off their home tournament on Sunday with its third consecutive doubleheader. Florida faces off against Coastal Carolina at 1 p.m. and then finishes the Lipton Invitational when it plays Georgia Southern at 3:15.
Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 8-0 win against Indiana on Feb. 22 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
