The No. 4 Florida Gators found themselves in unfamiliar territory for a midweek matchup — a one-run contest in the top of the sixth inning.
Facing Jacksonville, a team UF now holds a 31-0 record against, Florida found a way to dig deep and take its first of two games this week in the city.
Sophomore pitcher Ava Brown took matters into her own hands to ensure UF escaped with a win — and in the batter’s box, of all things. Facing two strikes, Brown looked to do damage. She lifted a pitch high into the clear skies, and deposited her second home run of the season into the left field grass, where a large contingent of Gator fans were seated. The fan who grabbed the ball leapt for joy as Brown gave her team a much-needed insurance run.
UF (29-4) used Brown’s second blast of the season to gain momentum in the game and defeat the JU Dolphins (13-14) on Wednesday 5-2 in Jacksonville.
This was the first time UF didn’t run-ruled JU since March 31, 2021. While Florida previously run-ruled every in-state foe it had taken on in the 2025 campaign, this is the second time in a week (Mar. 12 vs. UCF) it has gone the distance against another Floridian squad.
Senior center fielder Kendra Falby walked to lead the game off, extending her streak of reaching base in every game this season. She eventually scored on an error by JU freshman second baseman Kiersten Stevens.
Later in the frame, senior first baseman Reagan Walsh hit a ground ball through the middle of the infield for a two-out RBI single, giving UF a two-run first inning.
While Florida had a quick start in the first inning, JU proved that Wednesday’s result would go down to the wire. UF senior starting pitcher Kara Hammock struggled in the circle, giving up three hits, two walks and two runs (one earned) through three innings. Her strikeout was the 300th of her career.
Jacksonville got one run back early in the bottom of the first, as graduate catcher Gabby Baylog lofted a ball into center field for an RBI triple just beyond Falby’s reach to cut the Dolphins’ deficit in half.
While Baylog was on third, Hammock was able to escape the first inning jam, forcing back-to-back groundouts.
However, UF sophomore second baseman Mia Williams came back with a line-drive solo home run to the left field grass for her 10th home run of the season, extending UF’s lead in the top of the second. This blast gave her sole possession of second place on the team in home runs, behind Shumaker who has 13.
The bottom half of the inning spelled more trouble for Hammock, as she faced runners on first and third in the frame. JU senior center fielder Madison Bratek reached on an error by UF junior third baseman Kenleigh Cahalan to bring the Dolphins within one run.
Brown (7-0) pitched four scoreless innings, striking out six batters, which is tied for her season high (Feb. 8 vs. Illinois State). She also walked five batters and allowed two hits.
Florida generated a more sustainable offensive rhythm to start the top of the seventh. Shumaker and senior left fielder Korbe Otis hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Junior catcher Jocelyn Erickson walked to load the bases with no outs in the inning. However, the Gators were only able to score one run in the frame, as Holtorf recorded an RBI sacrifice bunt.
Brown retired the Dolphins in order in the final frame, recording two of her six strikeouts.
UF will stay in Jacksonville, as it takes on the North Florida Ospreys on Thursday. First pitch for this contest is slated for 6 p.m. ET.
Contact Jackson Colding at jcolding@alligator.org. Follow him on X @Colding_Jackson.
Jackson Colding is a junior sports journalism major and the Spring 2025 softball reporter. He is in his second semester at the sports desk. In his free time, he likes playing hockey, soccer and going to the gym.
