Florida softball came alive at the bottom of the third inning. Junior shortstop Skylar Wallace launched a home run to kick-start its offense.
The Gators scored run after run through the third and fourth innings, including a home run by freshman outfielder Kaila Pollard, who hit her first-career home run.
The No. 3 Florida Gators (9-0) defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas (2-2) 15-1 Sunday afternoon at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
Senior right-handed pitcher Rylee Trlicek started on the mound for Florida, and the Gators' defense kept Central Michigan scoreless in the first inning.
Junior shortstop Skylar Wallace advanced to first base after being hit by a pitch. Sophomore second baseman Reagan Walsh grounded out to second base but was unsuccessful in bringing Wallace home, and the Gators ended the first inning with no runs.
Trlicek and Florida's defense continued to keep Central Michigan scoreless through the second inning. Sophomore designated hitter Sam Roe doubled to left center and then stole third base after junior first baseman Avery Goelz grounded out to the pitcher.
Central Michigan junior right-handed pitcher Grace Lehto didn’t allow a run in the bottom of the second inning.
Sophomore Chippewas utility player Allyssa Hollo doubled to right center, and junior outfielder Michaleigh Vallimont scored to give Central Michigan a 1-0 lead at the top of the third inning.
Wallace hit the first home run of the game; she homered to left center field for two runs batted in to give the Gators a 2-1 lead.
Senior catcher Sarah Longley homered to center field, and both Walsh and graduate student third baseman Charla Echols scored to up Florida’s run to 5-1 at the bottom of the third.
Sophomore Kendra Falby fouled out to left field, and junior center fielder Katie Kistler scored to extend the lead to 6-1 at the bottom of the fourth. Wallace tripled down the right field line and was brought home by Roe, who drew a bases-loaded walk and pushed the score to 7-1.
Goelz tripled to left center for three RBIs to empty the bases and bring the score to 10-1. Longley doubled to right center, and Goelz scored; Florida led 11-1.
Pollard smashed her first career home run to right center to bring Longley home and extend the lead to 13-1.
Senior utility player Bryn Thomas singled to the right field for two RBIs. Both Falby and graduate student utility player Pal Egan scored to extend the lead to 15-1 at the end of the fourth.
Trlicek kept Central Michigan scoreless in the fifth inning to solidify the Gators’ 15-1 win.
UF is set to play Delaware State at 2:30 p.m. to close out their doubleheader Sunday at Katie Sesahole Pressly Stadium in the T-Mobile Tournament.
Contact Alyssa Britton-Harr abritton-harr@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @abrittonharr.
Alyssa Britton-Harr is a second-year journalism major and a sports reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she enjoys cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spending time with her friends.
