Sports | Softball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida pitcher Kelly Barnhill is fourth in the SEC in ERA at 0.59 with the second-highest innings pitched (47.2). She has earned SEC Pitcher of the Week three weeks in a row.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UCLA presents Gators’ toughest test of 2019 season

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 26, 2019

The No. 3 Gators have been waiting nearly nine months for this.

Catcher Kendyl Lindaman (pictured) combined with outfielder Amanda Lorenz for three hits and four RBIs in Florida's 8-2 defeat of Syracuse.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators wrap up perfect Bubly Invitational

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 24, 2019

Outfielder Amanda Lorenz was frustrated a week ago. The Florida offense was struggling, and she wasn’t doing much better. Coach Tim Walton pulled her aside for a brief drill.

UF third baseman Jaimie Hoover leads the Gators with a .400 batting average this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF wins both legs of its sixth doubleheader

By Mark Stine | Feb. 23, 2019

Alex Voss couldn’t help but smile as she rounded third. The senior center fielder and team captain beamed once she saw her teammates stationed around home plate to greet her after her home run. Once she touched home, she was swarmed.

Florida outfielder/first baseman Amanda Lorenz leads the team with 17 hits.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators sweep first doubleheader of Bubly Invitational

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 22, 2019

Friday night saw the first two games of the six-game Bubly Invitational for Florida’s softball team. Florida swept the doubleheader with a 7-0 victory against Illinois State and a 4-0 win over Florida A&M. Here’s how it happened:

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF’s offense is much more powerful than last season’s

By Mark Stine | Feb. 21, 2019

There’s no better way for a softball player to vault her team toward victory than hitting a home run in the first at-bat of the game.

Florida pitcher Natalie Lugo is No. 6 in the NCAA in hits allowed per seven innings (2.26). She has allowed only seven hits and two walks this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators improve to 12-0 in wet win over the Dolphins

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 20, 2019

JACKSONVILLE - Members of the sold-out crowd at the Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex barely had time to settle into their seats.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators thrive with, but struggle against, quality pitching

By Mark Stine | Feb. 19, 2019

The pitcher is the most scrutinized player in softball.

Florida first baseman Jordan Matthews compiled two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored in UF’s 8-0 win over Central Michigan on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF earns third run-rule win of weekend, stays undefeated

By Mark Stine | Feb. 17, 2019

First baseman Jordan Matthews measured up a 2-2 offering from Central Michigan pitcher Cloe Mallory and made explosive contact. The softball soared through the desert air and landed over the red fence.

Senior Amanda Lorenz returns to the Gators 2019 lineup after winning 2018 SEC Player of the Year and SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators’ hot start continues in the desert

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 16, 2019

The Gators softball team (10-0) continued its hot start to the season with a combined 25 runs in its two run-rule wins at the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Arizona. Florida scored runs in all 10 innings it played. Here’s how it happened:

Florida pitcher Kelly Barnhill struck out 11 batters and allowed just two hits during UF’s 7-1 win over USF on Sunday at the USF Opening Weekend Invitational.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators pick up third top-25 win

By Mark Stine | Feb. 15, 2019

The Florida Gators never defeated Arizona State in Tempa, Arizona. They were tasked with taking down the 14th-ranked hosts in the second leg of a double-header at the Littlewood Classic on Friday.

Freshman Jaimie Hoover stands in the batter's box during a UF win on Feb. 17.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

What to know about UF heading into weekend out west

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 14, 2019

The Gators softball team (6-0) heads out to Tempe, Arizona, to partake in five games at the Littlewood Classic following two mid-week games against Team Japan and North Florida. Here are three things to know about Florida’s start to the season:

Freshman Natalie Lugo logged her first career start Saturday against Hampton.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Lugo leads Gators in 3-1 win over UNF

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 13, 2019

The Gators’ win over North Florida wasn’t quite the way they drew it up.

UF softball coach Tim Walton and Athletic Director Scott Stricklin cut the ribbon at the unveiling of the newly renovated Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium before the Gators faced the Japan National Team in an exhibition Tuesday night.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF opens newly renovated stadium with exhibition loss

By Mark Stine | Feb. 12, 2019

It wasn’t about the score as much as it was about the occasion.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators win both legs of a doubleheader, start undefeated

By Mark Stine | Feb. 10, 2019

TAMPA — Jordan Matthews watched with anticipation as two pitches hit the catcher’s mitt.

Junior Kelly Barnhill and the Gators are set to take on Texas A&M in a three-game series starting Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators win both games of tough doubleheader

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 9, 2019

TAMPA -- The Gators walked into USF Softball Stadium knowing that Saturday’s doubleheader against No. 19 Michigan and No. 7 Arizona was going to be their toughest test at the USF Opening Weekend Invitational.

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso went 3-for-6 from the plate in Saturday's games against Jacksonville and Hampton.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators clobber Illinois State in five-inning shutout

By Mark Stine | Feb. 8, 2019

TAMPA -- The UF softball team was dialed in from the first pitch of the season.

The graduation of Kayli Kvistad left an open spot at first base for the Florida softball team. Coach Tim Walton will likely either start one of his freshmen or sophomore Jordan Matthews there this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Two questions UF will answer this weekend

By Mark Stine | Feb. 7, 2019

The UF softball team heads down to Tampa this weekend to play its first five games while the finishing touches are put on the newly renovated Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, home of the UF softball team, will finish construction ahead of an exhibition game against Japan on Tuesday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Three observations ahead of the beginning of UF’s season

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 5, 2019

The month of February ushers in a new season of Florida softball, and there’s a lot about coach Tim Walton’s program that’s new.

The entire Florida team celebrates after punching its ticket to the Women’s College World Series for the second-consecutive season. The Gators also won the SEC regular-season and tournament titles.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

2018 Gators should be remembered for what they did, not what they couldn’t do

By Mark Stine | June 5, 2018

Nothing said at Saturday night’s press conference indicated that the UF softball team was disappointed in how its season ended, but it was evident.

Senior pitcher Aleshia Ocasio threw her final outing for the Gators in their 2-0 lost to Oklahoma at the Women's College World Series. Ocasio and starter Kelly Barnhill combined for only three hits, but their efforts weren't enough to save UF's season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators eliminated by OU at World Series for second-straight season

By Mark Stine | June 3, 2018

Florida right fielder Jaimie Hoover slapped a ground ball to third base, turned and sprinted down the first-base line. Down two runs, the junior batted in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and put all of her energy into running the 60 feet to beat out the play. She was caught a step short.