Florida softball kicked down the door of the 2021 season and entered guns ablazing. But as fans focus on the rubble of success around the team, attention to detail may be lost.
The No. 5 Gators’ 12-0 start is their best since 2016. Head coach Tim Walton also broke 800 wins as a Gator and 900 career wins in the Bubly Invitational, making him the second fastest NCAA Division I coach to break 900.
One would expect that Walton would welcome these accomplishments, but he’s far from satisfied. Walton sluggishly left Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium after Florida’s games against Louisville and McNeese State last weekend. As the team’s leader, he feels the expectations pile up on his shoulders.
“We’ve got good players, way too good players to be hitting .325 and hitting six home runs,” Walton said. “We’re way too good for where we’re at now.”
Coming into the season, Walton’s lineup exuded a threatening aura. However, the coach spoke of his offense’s performance with hues of disappointment that teetered on borderline frustration.
The Gators’ current batting average remains only a pinch higher than last year’s (.317).
Florida’s cumulative batting averages for individual games show inconsistency and range from .143 all the way to .519, with each end of the spectrum earned against Georgia Southern. The trend repeats from last year, where the team’s lowest batting average totaled at .143 from an early 4-5 loss against UCLA.
So, how can Florida be so inconsistent at the plate and still win week after week?
Pitching and defense. Walton said it himself.
The Gator pitching staff walked away with seven shutouts. Fifth-year senior Katie Chronister holds a 22-inning scoreless streak and only allowed seven hits. Junior Elizabeth Hightower (0.71 ERA) secured five wins and allowed 11 hits through 29.2 innings.
Now, Walton will head back to the drawing board.
In searching for a clear answer, he called on his 18 years of coaching experience and said every championship-caliber team must make adjustments.
“The sport is super humbling and it gives you a lot of information,” Walton said. “How you process that and what you do… that’s the stuff that I enjoy the most.”
Florida will face New Mexico State Wednesday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium before it travels to in-state rival Florida State Friday and Saturday.
No.16 FSU, the Gators’ first ranked opponent this season, was also Florida’s last opponent before the 2020 season ended.
“I don’t care who we play tomorrow or who we play on Friday, Saturday or Sunday or Monday,” Walton said. “It’s really about what the Gators are going to continue to do to get better.”
Contact Rachel Slay at rslay@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @racheljslay
