While the Gators’ lineup consists of power and pop, their heart and determination has seldom been tested in non-conference play this season.
However, facing two balls and no strikes with two outs in the top of the first, sophomore second baseman Mia Williams was forced to dig in and show hustle and determination.
She hit a ground ball to Cougar freshman third baseman Emilee Prochaska and dashed to first to beat out the throw. While she was originally ruled out, the call was subsequently reversed, and junior catcher Jocelyn Erickson scored on the play to give Florida a 2-0 lead.
This play served as a catalyst for more offense later in the game, which the No. 3 Florida Gators won in convincing fashion. UF defeated the Houston Cougars 11-0 in five innings on Wednesday night in their seventh straight and 17th overall run-rule victory this season.
A lot has changed since Feb. 11, 2006 — the last time these two teams played each other. UF coach Tim Walton recorded his second win as head coach at Florida in the 2006 game. On Wednesday night, however, he recorded win No. 1004.
Freshman right fielder Taylor Shumaker got the home run festivities started early on Wednesday under the clear skies of Cougar Softball Stadium in Houston. Shumaker, the country’s leader in total bases, RBIs and runs, tied Nebraska junior Ava Kuszak for the home run lead with her 12th blast of the season. The Florida freshman sent a solo shot to right center field in the top of the first, notching her first of six RBIs.
“Honestly, I was just looking for something to drive hard, my freshman year I kind of just told myself that I was just going to try to hit the ball hard,” Shumaker said.
After Williams recorded her single to end the scoring in the first, senior first baseman Reagan Walsh continued the impressive tear she has been on. The reigning NFCA Player of the Week took a one-ball pitch and lined it over the center field fence in the top of the third for her seventh blast of the season, briefly pushing her past Williams for second-most on the team.
Williams matched Walsh with her seventh homer to move back into a tie for second place later in the frame with a long ball over the center field fence.
Shumaker delivered again in the third after a walk from sophomore designated player Ava Brown and a double from senior center fielder Kendra Falby. She drilled a single to score both runners and advanced to second on the throw.
The freshman sensation was not done. With the bases loaded following a single, two walks and a fielder’s choice, she came to the plate with a chance to put the game out of reach.
With a full-count and two outs, Shumaker remained composed before the pitch, clearing the bases with a double to center field in the top of the fourth. With the three-run hit, she reached a career-high six RBIs, but she remained focused on her team after the game.
“We have 21 girls who are ready at all times,” Shumaker said.
Junior third baseman Kenleigh Cahalan blasted a two-run home run to right field in the top of the fifth to give the Gators double-digit runs.
Senior pitcher Kara Hammock pitched four scoreless innings against the Cougars. While she got herself into a few jams, she only allowed one hit on three walks and retired two Cougar batters with strikeouts. She has been an instrumental part of UF’s rotation with sophomore starting pitcher Keagan Rothrock out with an injury.
Freshman pitcher Katelynn Oxley pitched the final inning for Florida and struck out one batter.
Heading into conference play, Shumaker is confident for Friday’s matchup with the No. 4 Texas A&M Aggies.
“I’m really excited to take on SEC play for the first time, but for me every game is new, every game is different, it doesn’t matter what I did the day before,” she said.
The next time the Gators take the field will be for the start of SEC play. They travel to College Station, Texas, to take on the fourth-ranked Aggies. The series begins Friday at 7 p.m.
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.
