FLORIDA 8, TEXAS A&M 0 (5 INNINGS)
| RUNS | HITS | ERRORS | |
| TX A&M | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| FLORIDA | 8 | 8 | 0 |
Oklahoma City, OK- The Florida Gators softball team played perhaps their best game of 2017 when it mattered most. The Gators played a complete game offensively, defensively, and in the circle in defeating Texas A&M by run-rule on Thursday.
Florida scored early and often in providing starting pitcher Kelly Barnhill with run support. Florida scored two runs in the first inning when Janelle Wheaton singled up the middle with the bases loaded scoring Kayli Kvistad and Nicole Dewitt.
Florida tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the second after Nicole Dewitt singled to center with the bases loaded. Justine McLean and Amanda Lorenz scored on the play. Florida added one run in the third inning on a Sophia Reynoso RBI single. Aleshia Ocasio hit a three-run homer to right center field in the fourth to push Florida into run-rule territory.
Kelly Barnhill was in control despite saying she “didn’t have her best stuff” in a post-game ESPN interview. Barnhill pitched four innings while allowing only three hits and striking out five. Delaney Gourley finished the game for Florida.
Barnhill did run into trouble in the top of the first. She walked Keeli Milligan to start the game, and faced Aggies catcher Ashley Walsh with runners on first and third and two outs. Walters struck out swinging to end the threat. Florida never looked back.
Florida completed the first run-rule victory in the Women’s College World Series since the Gators run-ruled Baylor in 2014. Florida will face LSU Friday night at 7:00 PM. LSU defeated UCLA 2-1 on Thursday.
WP: Barnhill (25-3)
LP: Trinity Harrington (14-3)
LEADERS:
- Dewitt (UF) 1-1, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 RBI
- Ocasio (UF) 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, R
- Lorenz (UF) 1-2, 2 R, BB
I could not be more proud of those girls!! Go Gators!