FLORIDA 5, WASHINGTON 2
| RUNS | HITS | ERRORS | |
| FLORIDA | 5 | 7 | 1 |
| WASHINGTON | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Oklahoma City, OK- Florida senior pitcher Delanie Gourley has made 76 starts and 112 appearances in her Gators career. She earned the win in the 2014 championship clincher. Despite all the experience she has, Sunday was Gourley’s first start in the Women’s College World Series.
Gourley faced a potent Washington lineup but pitched masterfully in the Gators 5-2 victory that sends Florida to the Championship Series for the fifth time in program history. Gourley finished the complete game effort with 10 strikeouts while only walking one batter.
Gourley was backed up with a strong offensive effort from the start. Kayli Kvistad hit a solo home run to right center in the bottom of the first to give the Gators the early lead. Florida added a trio of runs in the second inning. Kvistad roped a two-run single up the middle, and Florida took a 4-0 lead.
Florida would tack on one more run in the fifth inning when Janelle Wheaton singled to score Nicole Dewitt.
Washington finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh. Taylor Van Zee reached base on a two out error by Kvistad at first base. It was only the second error by Kvistad all season. The next Washington hitter, Julia DePonte hit a no-doubt home run to cut the deficit to 5-2. Trysten Melhart grounded to Kvistad who tagged the bag and sent Florida to the final series.
Florida will face Oklahoma in the Championship Series beginning Monday at 7:00 PM. Oklahoma won the 2016 WCWS while Florida won the 2014 and the 2015 titles.
WP: Gourley (22-4)
LP: Taran Alvelo (35-9)
LEADERS:
- Kvistad (UF) 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
- Gourley (UF) 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 10 K, BB
- Dewitt (UF) 2-3, R, BB