The Florida softball team is in search of its first NCAA title in nine years after reaching the Women’s College World Series out of a home regional victory against Baylor Sunday.
Florida faced Oklahoma State in its Women’s College World Series debut.
The Gators played the Cowgirls earlier in the season, where UF fell to OSU 3-0. Leading in the circle was OSU graduate student pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl who held the Gators to three hits. UF freshman Keagan Rothrock allowed just two hits through the matchup, but one was a three-run homer.
Both pitchers were back in the circle for a rematch Thursday with much higher stakes on the line. Rothrock delivered a stellar performance and allowed just two hits and two walks to keep OSU scoreless through seven innings.
Kilfoyl kept the Gators hitless through four innings, but UF senior right fielder Katie Kistler recorded Florida’s first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kistler smashed her fifth home run of the season over the right field wall.
Kistler’s solo home run and Rothrock’s performance pushed the No. 4-seeded Florida Gators (52-13) to shut out the No. 5-seeded Oklahoma State Cowgirls (49-11) 1-0 in the WCWS opener at Devon Park.
Both teams started slow offensively. The Cowgirls picked up their first hit in the top of the second inning, but Rothrock stranded the runner with her second strikeout.
The scoreless matchup continued as both pitchers battled back and forth. Rothrock retired the top of the third in order 1-2-3, but Kilfoyl responded in the bottom half with the same results.
Florida tried to break the score in the bottom of the fourth inning as redshirt senior Skylar Wallace drew a two-out walk, and sophomore catcher Jocelyn Erickson reached on an error.
However, Kilfoyl kept the Cowgirls alive with her fourth strikeout.
In the top of the fifth inning, UF junior center fielder Kendra Falby robbed extra bases with a Golden Glove caliber catch in center field. Rothrock capped the scoreless frame with a strikeout.
The Cowgirls had one last opportunity to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning, but Rothrock ended the frame in order 1-2-3 to take Game 1 and advance the Gators.
Next, the Florida Gators will face the Texas Longhorns in Game 2 Saturday at 7 p.m. If the Gators win, they advance to Game 3 Monday at 7 p.m.
Hailey Hurst is a second-year journalism major with a focus in sports media and a sports reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and cheering for Miami sports teams.
