Reagan Walsh struggled in the Gators’ opening weekend in the USF-Rawlings Invitational. She hit just .214 in five games and had just three hits in that span. But Tuesday, the junior infielder had three hits against the Dolphins and the biggest one in the sixth inning.
With two outs, Walsh extended her hands on a pitch low in the strike zone and scorched it over the center field fence for a home run. It made her 3-for-3 on the night with four RBIs and increased the Gators’ lead to 10-0.
The Florida softball team dominated the Jacksonville Dolphins 10-0 behind the offensive production from Walsh and a stellar pitching performance from freshman Ava Brown.
Brown continued her scorching start to the season with another impressive outing in the circle. She kept multiple Jacksonville hitters off balance, leading to another shutout from the freshman. She has yet to give up a run and has only given up three hits in 14 innings. Against the Dolphins, she gave up just one hit and struck out five.
Sophomore catcher Jocelyn Erickson roped a two-run double to center field to spark the Gators offensively. A Baylee Goddard ground out and a hard-hit ground ball by Walsh put Florida ahead 4-0 in the top of the first.
Brown recorded a smooth 1-2-3 first inning getting a ground out, fly out and strikeout on 11 pitches.
Florida threatened in the top of the third after Walsh ripped a double down the left field line, setting up runners on second and third with two outs. However, Jacksonville pitcher Christa Pritchard escaped the jam by getting freshman Ariel Kowalewski to fly out to right field.
In the bottom of the third, Erickson showed off her defensive ability. After a walk from Brown, Erickson caught Jacksonville’s Gabi Robles attempting to steal second base. Brown would go onto the walk another Dolphin but kept Jacksonville off of the scoreboard.
After a walk and two singles, the Gators had the bases loaded with no outs and their best player in Wallace coming to the plate.
Per usual, Wallace came through, chopping a single into right field to put Florida up 6-0.
This caused Jacksonville to go back to its bullpen, where Shelby Harpe entered.
Junior outfielder Korbe Otis attempted to steal home after a passed ball, but she was tagged out at the plate. Then, Erickson hit a pop fly to shallow right field, but Wallace’s speed allowed her to come home for a sacrifice fly. The run extended the Gators’ lead to 7-0.
In the sixth, Walsh’s home run put the game out of reach, and Brown shut the door in the bottom half of the sixth to earn the mercy-rule victory.
Next, Florida will have a rematch with Jacksonville Wednesday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium for UF’s home opener. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
Contact Bennett Solomon at bsolomon@alligator.org. Follow him on X @B_Soly11.
