The Florida softball team is finally hitting its stride.
This may sound unusual, considering the team has compiled a 41-3 record and held the No. 1 national ranking for all but one week this season.
But after a weekend series in which the Gators outclassed No. 5 Louisiana-Lafayette and outscored the Ragin’ Cajuns 22-2 over three games, Florida is only getting better.
That’s an imposing proposition for opponents.
“Our pitching and defense did a really good job to limit one of the best offenses in the country,” coach Tim Walton said.
“I thought we did a really good job mixing our pitches.”
A big reason for Florida’s dominance was the performance of pitcher Delanie Gourley.
The junior gave up only one run on four hits in 11.1 innings while amassing 21 strikeouts.
Thirteen of those strikeouts came in Gourley’s start on Saturday, tying a career high.
“I thought (she) was outstanding,” Walton said.
“She really did a good job setting the tone for us.”
Her impressive play has not gone unnoticed.
On Tuesday, Gourley was named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week.
“It's an honor to win this weekly award. I thought I had a good weekend, but I'm never satisfied, as there is always things I can do better,” Gourley said in a release.
“For us as a team, it was a huge weekend for us.”
After a solid freshman campaign, Gourley had a down year in 2015 but has rebounded nicely this season.
As the pitching staff’s veteran, she leads the Gators in innings pitched (100.2), strikeouts (143) and opponent batting average (.142) — all significant improvements from a season ago.
And if her minute 0.76 ERA holds firm, Gourley will be on pace for the third-lowest in program history.
With a midweek home matchup against No. 23 South Florida (39-10) slated for 6 p.m., Gourley and the Gators will look to take advantage of a brief break from conference play against a team they have beaten 10 out of 12 times the past four years.
“As a team we’re never satisfied,” Gourley said.
“I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
Contact Brian Lee at blee@alligator.org and you can follow him on Twitter @brianlee_17.
Delanie Gourley pitches during Florida's 14-10 loss to LSU on March 14, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
