The Gators are rolling through the competition.
After limiting Baylor to just three hits in the opening game of the Women’s College World Series on Thursday, No. 5 seed Florida (52-12) blanked top-seeded Oregon (55-8-1) 4-0 on Friday, holding the Ducks to just three hits and handing them their second shutout of the season.
“You just don't get to the postseason and get by,” coach Tim Walton said. I give them a ton of credit for buying in and being accountable, and all 17 of the girls are doing their part to help the Gators win softball games.”
Hannah Rogers continued her dominance in the circle.
The senior right-hander faced only two batters above the minimum en route to her 28th win of the season and her 11th solo shutout of the season and 40th of her career.
Rogers held Oregon — a team with a .349 batting average heading into the contest — to just a .136 clip at the plate.
“It boosts my confidence because Oregon is a great team,” Rogers said.
Added outfielder Briana Little: “It's just a great feeling to know that you have a great pitcher out there throwing strikes, and she has confidence in her defense.”
While Rogers stymied the Ducks on offense, the Gators had no trouble getting on the board early.
Bailey Castro opened up scoring in the second inning with a leadoff home run — her eighth of the season — off of Oregon sophomore ace Cheridan Hawkins.
“It was the easiest swing I've seen to hit the ball that far,” Walton said. “Usually she swings out of her shoes. She can hit it far, but that was the easiest swing I've seen her have.”
Castro continued her momentum in the third inning. With Kelsey Stewart on second base and Kirsti Merritt on first, the junior ripped a pitch to left field for a two-out RBI single to extend Florida’s lead to 2-0.
Castro has come into her own during the first two games of the Women’s College World Series.
Before reaching Oklahoma City, the junior outfielder was batting just .265 and had just 11 extra base hits.
But in the past two games, Castro has gone 4 for 6 with four RBIs. The Pembroke Pines native now leads the Gators with a .503 on base percentage.
With runners on second and third, Little stepped up to the plate. With a full count, the Middleburg native popped a ball up to Oregon second baseman Karine Shaver for what should have been an easy out.
But the ball went in and out of her glove, giving Little a two-RBI double and handing Florida a 4-0 advantage.
“I made a slight mental error,” Shaver said. “I let my nerves get the best of me.”
Hawkins would leave the circle in the fourth, and relief pitcher Karissa Hovinga limited Florida to three hits for the remainder of the game.
But the damage was already done.
Florida needs just one win on Sunday to reach the championship round for the first time since 2011.
“The great part is somebody has to beat us twice,” Walton said, “and I do like our chances with regard to that and the way we’re playing right now.”
Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
Hannah Rogers pitches during UF's 17-1 win against USF on April 23 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers was named the 2014 Southeastern Conference Female Athlete of the Year and finished her senior season with a 30-8 record and a 1.60 ERA.
