Florida is arguably more eager for a win now than it has been all season.
The Gators started the season on a 22-game winning streak that included a five-week stretch ranked No. 1.
Since then, No. 6 Florida (31-8, 5-7 Southeastern Conference) has gone 9-8 and has dropped four straight contests for the first time since 2011 as it opens its three-game series against No. 19 Auburn (31-6-1, 6-3 SEC) tonight at 6.
“I think there’s a lot of change that can be made in every aspect,” freshman Delanie Gourley said. “You know pitching, hitting, fielding, defense and we’ll be ready. We’re going to prepare and it’ll be a good weekend.”
Despite the losing streak, coach Tim Walton said he’s not worried.
“There’s no panic in the coaching staff, there’s no panic in the players,” Walton said after Wednesday’s extra inning loss to FSU. “We did normal routine work.”
Auburn most recently defeated then-No. 10 Kentucky at home in two of three games.
The Gators’ record lacks that positive momentum the Tigers will be riding into town. Prior to the start of its losing streak on March 28, Florida had not dropped back-to-back games all season.
“I think it has more to do with the opponents that we’ve played more than it has to do with us,” Walton said. “Are we where we want to be? No, but the season’s not over yet and I think our kids have a lot of athleticism and a lot of fight in them.”
Despite the mid-season struggles, the team has made a conscious effort to not let its perseverance waver.
“We just have to clear it,” junior pitcher Lauren Haeger said. “I mean we practice hard, we go hard all the time so we just have to keep doing what we’re doing and not let it bother us.”
Follow Erica A. Hernandez on Twitter @EricaAlyssa
