OKLAHOMA CITY — On Florida’s star-laden team, Lauren Heil is a role player.
The reserve third baseman has played in just 13 games this season, primarily serving as a pinch runner throughout her UF career.
But that doesn’t mean her words don’t speak volumes about the new direction of Florida’s offense.
When Gators coach Tim Walton was asked about the fresh side his team debuted in a season-ending series sweep against Tennessee, he immediately referenced his junior backup.
“She was sitting next to me in our meeting,” he said.
“It was nice to hear her say, ‘I’ve been to the [Women’s College] World Series twice [as a Gator], and we just don’t hit the ball as far as we want to. We need to get the little hits.’”
Heil’s point is supported by three years of frustration for UF.
Tonight, Florida will begin its fourth consecutive run in the WCWS.
Its previous three experiences have ended in disappointment, with the Gators falling shy of a national title every time.
Walton said this year’s team is “a little more dynamic” than the ones before them, making it clear how he feels about this squad’s chances.
“It’s been nice to have a little bit more dimension,” he said.
“Every year from here on out, we’re going to get a little more dimensional. That’s been the goal all along.”
Since Walton arrived at UF, the Gators have been known for their power.
However, that power has often fizzled when facing the elite pitching that’s constantly present in Oklahoma City.
Florida is 7-6 on college softball’s grandest stage.
In its six losses, UF has scored a total of nine runs. In both 2008 (Megan Bush) and 2009 (Corrie Brooks), a Gators hitter led the tournament in strikeouts.
When Florida began to falter offensively again toward the end of the regular season, the team knew it was time for a change.
The Gators started to implement more of a short-game approach, and Walton said the philosophical change was simply a realization that not everyone in UF’s lineup needs to be taking huge swings.
“We have a lot better look to us lately, doing a little hit-and-run, steals, bunts,” said Kelsey Bruder, after admitting her team had gotten “predictable.”
This postseason, Florida has been fueled by the explosiveness of athletes like Michelle Moultrie (nine hits, seven stolen bases) and Cheyenne Coyle (six RBIs, five stolen bases) — while still keeping the steady power of mainstays like Megan Bush (six RBIs), Bruder (two doubles, three RBIs) and Brittany Schutte (three homers, nine RBIs).
The offensive evolution has sparked a rejuvenated lineup and dugout, especially during the postseason.
Instead of waiting for a three-run shot to celebrate, the Gators now have a fully choreographed routine for each of the “little things.”
Walk a UF batter, and she will salute. If a player gets hit, they respond with a fist pump similar to what one might see on “Jersey Shore.”
Two-out hits, doubles and RBIs get you a baby Gator Chomp.
Maybe most noticeable of all, Florida base-stealers toss imaginary grenades toward their dugout after successfully swiping a bag.
“The Texas Rangers did a good job last year with their run of really making things fun,” Walton said.
“If players making millions of dollars can do things to have fun, why can’t we?”
The lineup’s progressions during the postseason have made life easier for the two-headed pitching beast of Stephanie Brombacher and Hannah Rogers — another major reason why Walton feels this team brings more to Oklahoma than last year’s squad.
Like every other year, the final eight is loaded with tough starting pitching.
But none of the teams go two-deep with as much dominance as the Gators.
In the six games of Florida’s Regional and Super Regional, the duo gave up just seven earned runs and struck out 36 batters.
“The two of them are going to have to do a great job of carrying us,” Walton said.
“But we’ve [been to the WCWS] with one pitcher before, so I think when you have two very special individuals, it makes it a lot more exciting for me as a coach.”
Now opposing teams will have to prepare for UF’s contrasting pitchers.
The senior Brombacher will start, using her pinpoint control and breaking pitches in the first few innings, before handing the ball over to the flame-throwing Rogers.
The power throwing freshman has developed into a dominant reliever, sporting a drop-ball that has become one of the nastiest pitches in college softball over the past month.
“They make timely pitches when they have to and they hit their spots,” catcher Tiffany DeFelice said. “I just think that they’re so strong mentally that it’s really hard to get to them.”
Florida’s WCWS run — the final for its five seniors — begins tonight at 9:30 p.m. against Missouri.
Etc. The NCAA announced the All-American teams Wednesday, and the Gators the nation with six selections. Bush, Schutte and Bruder received first-team honors. Rogers was named to the second team, while Moultrie and Aja Paculba were third-team selections.
