Feb. 6 is a day Florida softball freshman right fielder Taylor Shumaker will remember for the rest of her life. While it marked her first collegiate game, it also proved to be the start of what already looks to be a historic Florida career. However, her night at the plate under the clear skies of Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium did not begin like any other at-bat from her earlier playing days.
Shumaker felt the most nervous she had ever been playing softball as she prepared to step up to the plate. Her new teammates helped calm her down, allowing her to persevere through the nerves.
“Korbe [Otis] looked at me and was like, ‘Your heart is pounding through your chest right now,’” Shumaker said. “She just had to remind me to breathe and that I belong there, that I was put in that position and that situation for a reason.”
Since her first at-bat, the rest has been history for Shumaker. She homered in her next at-bat, sending a three-run blast to left center field for her first collegiate hit. As of games through Feb. 27, the freshman outfielder has set the country on fire, as she leads the nation in runs, RBIs and total bases and is tied for the home run lead.
However, to become the player she is now in Gainesville, Shumaker needed a strong softball support system in her hometown of Fullerton, California. Her club coach, Mike Stith, has been a major influence in her softball journey.
Shumaker has played under Stith since she was 12, growing into a phenom at the plate along the way. She described their relationship as one based on tough love. While he was hard on her when he needed to be, she values the importance of his ability to make her the best version of herself.
“To be able to have somebody who loves me as a human being, but also wanted to make me better in every way, shape and form kind of made our bond just that much more special,” Shumaker said. “He was like a second dad to me.”
When the time came to go to college, Shumaker had Florida in her top three schools while discussing with Stith. While waiting on interest from Florida, she decided to take an unofficial visit to Gainesville during her junior year of high school.
From the moment she stepped on campus, Shumaker knew she wanted to go to UF because of how much it valued its athletes as not only softball players, but people.
Another Gator great and Stith protégé played a part in Shumaker taking her talents across the country to Gainesville. Amanda Lorenz, who Shumaker idolized, was in constant communication with the highly-touted prospect throughout the recruiting process.
Shumaker said that when Stith gave her Lorenz’s phone number, the pair’s relationship began to truly blossom.
“Once I committed to UF, I think she’s been one of the most supportive people on planet Earth,” Shumaker said. “Even if it’s when I hit a home run, she’ll swipe up on my story and be like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so proud of you,’ or ‘Oh, you’re such a baller.’”
Shumaker wants to succeed no matter where she is hitting in the lineup, all while being the best player and teammate she can.
She credits her preparation and trust with her teammates as a major part of her early-season success. Heading into conference play, she hopes to keep the same mentality she has started the season with.
“My thoughts are just to enjoy the ride, to enjoy being around my teammates,” Shumaker said.
Stith noted how Shumaker’s drive and talent, as well as her impressive athleticism, allowed her to immediately stand out above the rest of the pack.
While Shumaker and Lorenz are both talented players, Stith outlined one key difference between the pair.
“Taylor is more of a refined athlete,” he said. “Taylor is a little more quieter.”
Stith believes Shumaker’s natural talent and ability to hit for power have helped her succeed in her first season in Gainesville.
From the moment she stepped foot into his program, Stith knew Florida would be a perfect match for her. He highlighted knowing UF coach Tim Walton as a reason he thought Shumaker would fit in, citing how their personalities would mesh well together.
“I told Taylor she was going to go to Florida when she was 12 years old,” Stith said.
He and Shumaker keep in touch regularly, as she calls to stay in touch and remain engaged.
Sophomore second baseman Mia Williams, one of Shumaker’s closest friends on the team, called her one of the most competitive people on the team — but that doesn’t stop them from bonding off the diamond as well.
“We do our TikTok dances as I’m sure people have seen, that is part of it kind of, but I think we’re just very similar people, she’s very confident,” Williams said.
As conference play looms, Shumaker will look to build on her lead in most of the major statistical categories to help her team in any capacity. With a strong support system of coaches, family, teammates and a Gator great, there is no shortage of people ready to help her at a moment’s notice.
While her first conference at-bat might cause her heart to beat through her chest again, she will have teammates there to help her in UF’s first conference series on March 7 in College Station against the fifth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies.
Contact Jackson Colding at jcolding@alligator.org. Follow him on X @Colding_Jackson.
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.
