Facing a three-run deficit in the fifth inning, the top of Florida’s order looked to give the team a spark. Freshman right fielder Taylor Shumaker lined a single to left field, and junior catcher Jocelyn Erickson walked to put two runners on to start the inning.
This sequence forced Florida State to make a pitching change from sophomore starting pitcher Ashtyn Danley to senior pitcher Annabelle Widra. Widra struck out senior first baseman Reagan Walsh, while senior left fielder Korbe Otis fell victim to a sensational play by Seminoles redshirt senior right fielder Hallie Wacaser in the ensuing at-bat.
Otis took a two-strike pitch and lined it to Wacaser, who made a diving catch. She then stood up and lasered a throw to sophomore third baseman Jaysoni Beachum to complete an inning-ending double play, keeping the momentum with the Seminoles for the rest of the evening.
The No. 3/2 Florida Gators (33-6) couldn’t overcome the No. 7/10 Florida State Seminoles’ dominance in the circle, as UF dropped the contest 4-0 on Wednesday at JoAnne Graf Field. Florida has now dropped seven of its last eight matchups against FSU, dating back to 2021.
This marked the first game the Seminoles have played since they announced head coach Lonni Alameda, who has coached at Florida State for 15 seasons, has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
In their last meeting with FSU, the Gators put up 15 runs in an extra-innings 15-13 victory. While five of the last six contests between the two teams had been decided by two runs or fewer, this contest ended far differently for Florida.
In the top of the first, Florida was initially looking to get off to a fast start. Senior center fielder Kendra Falby hit a single to left field, while walks from Shumaker and senior first baseman Reagan Walsh loaded the bases with one out. While UF typically starts strong, Danley (7-1) slammed the door shut on the Gators early on.
The FSU left-hander struck out Otis and junior third baseman Kenleigh Cahalan to set the tone for her outing. She pitched four innings, giving up four hits and four walks while striking out three Florida batters. Widra went on to pitch three perfect innings with two strikeouts.
The Seminoles carried the momentum Danley provided into the bottom half of the first. Sophomore shortstop Isa Torres hit a leadoff single to left field, and Beachum reached on an error by Florida sophomore second baseman Mia Williams to bring up redshirt senior left fielder Jahni Kerr.
Kerr came into this contest with two home runs on the season. She went on to hit another two on Wednesday night alone, the first of which came on a full-count pitch into right field for a three-run homer.
UF sophomore pitcher Keagan Rothrock (9-2) settled in after this frame. She pitched six innings, giving up four runs (three earned), five hits and struck out four batters.
However, Kerr struck again in the bottom of the sixth to deliver the final blow to UF. She hit her second home run of the game to right field, just out of Shumaker’s reach.
For the first time since 2012, Florida will not have a chance for redemption against FSU, as this is the only time the squads will play each other this season.
Florida will look to bounce back in a weekend series against the No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks. Game one is set for Friday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, with first pitch slated for 6 p.m.
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.
