The Florida softball team was back on the World Series stage Saturday night and faced college softball's best offense in the winner’s bracket, Texas.
UF freshman right-handed pitcher Keagan Rothrock had a strong performance in Thursday’s shutout victory against Oklahoma, but the odds were not in her favor Saturday as Texas’s offense shined in the contest.
The No.1-seeded Texas Longhorns (54-8) run-ruled No. 4-seeded Florida Gators (52-14) 10-0 in Game 2 of the WCWS at Devon Park.
Florida had a tough start on defense as the Longhorns recorded five runs off four hits in the bottom of the first inning. Rothrock allowed two runs off three hits and a hit by a pitch before freshman pitcher Ava Brown subbed in to relieve with one out.
The first batter Brown faced smashed a three-run home run over the center field wall to extend the Longhorns lead to 5-0. The Gators escaped the inning via back-to-back ground outs.
Texas junior pitcher Mac Morgan maintained control in the circle and held UF to one walk and hitless through four innings.
In the bottom of the third inning, Brown walked every other batter to load the bases. Though, she stayed calm and recorded a strikeout to end the frame.
The Longhorns offense continued to threaten in the bottom of the fourth. Texas junior infielder Mia Scott recorded a solo home run and freshman outfielder Katie Stewart extended the lead to 9-0 via a three-run home run.
With two outs, UF graduate student Mackenzie Wooten subbed in for Brown and allowed one walk and an RBI single. Freshman pitcher Olivia Miller subbed in and ended the inning via a ground out.
The Gators attempted to cut the deficit to prevent a run-rule victory in the top of the fifth inning. Senior right-fielder Katie Kistler led off with Florida’s first hit of the game via a single to right field.
However, the Longhorn’s defense continued to dominate and recorded a double play and a ground out to keep Florida scoreless.
Next, the Florida Gators will face the Alabama Crimson Tide in an elimination round Sunday at 3 p.m. If the Gators win, they advance to Game 3 Monday at 7 p.m. against Oklahoma.
Contact Hailey Hurst at hhurst@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @haileyjhurst.
Hailey Hurst is a second-year journalism major with a focus in sports media and a sports reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and cheering for Miami sports teams.
