Even though Florida softball has owned Florida State in recent years, the historic rivalry’s intensity never seems to fizzle.
And it won’t tonight.
The No. 3 Gators (36-4) will look to continue its recent domination as they battle the No. 8 Seminoles (33-9) in Tallahassee at 6 p.m. tonight.
Florida has buried Florida State in recent years, as the Gators are 12-1 against the Seminoles since 2007 and 19-14 versus FSU all time.
Before the loss against FSU last year, the Gators hadn’t lost to the Seminoles since 2006.
Though UF has dominated the rivalry of late, coach Tim Walton knows he doesn’t have to motivate his team for this one.
“You’re not motivating them for somebody they haven’t heard of before,” he said. “They know what Florida State and Florida is all about.”
Gators shortstop Kathlyn Medina said the atmosphere when the two teams square off is unlike any other.
“When I’m there, I’m stoked and super excited on adrenaline,” she said. “They’re gonna give us their ‘A’ game, we’re gonna give them our ‘A’ game.”
Last year, Florida and Florida State split the two games against each other. Both teams made the NCAA Women’s College World Series, but FSU was knocked out before UF won it all.
One Seminole that could give the Gators problems is Lacey Waldrop. The 2014 USA Softball National Player of the Year is having another phenomenal season in the circle.
Waldrop is 21-4 this season, and her 1.44 ERA and 173 strikeouts in 146.1 innings are 19th and 18th best in the NCAA, respectively.
The Gators tagged Waldrop for four earned runs in 6.2 innings last time they saw her in 2014. But Walton knows she has a dangerous arsenal of pitches at her disposal – she struck out 18 batters in 6.2 innings against Florida in a matchup in 2013.
“If you try to pull her you’re in trouble,” Walton said. “If you try to sit on one pitch you’re in trouble. If you guess you’re in trouble.”
Walton said his hitters will need to jump on good pitches early in the count and spray the ball to all sides of the field to be successful against Waldrop.
One Gator excited to be a part of the rivalry is freshman Kayli Kvistad. The Lake City native grew up watching Florida and Florida State clash over the years.
“You can see the attitudes on the field,” she said. “Everyone’s getting after it and wanting to win for our state.”
Follow Patrick Pinak on Twitter @Pinakk12
Kathlyn Medina shows bunt during Florida’s 7-6 win against Auburn on Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Medina rejoined the lineup against Auburn after sitting out 15 games.
