FLORIDA 5, TEXAS A&M 4
| RUNS | HITS | ERRORS | |
| TAMU | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| GATORS | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Gainesville, FL– This Florida Gators team has a flair for the dramatic. The Gators walked to victory over Texas A&M to open the Super Regionals on Thursday after multiple lightning delays.
Florida trailed 4-2 entering the seventh inning until Amanda Lorenz crushed a one-out homer to right field to pull the Gators within one. Kayli Kvistad drew a walk with two outs to start the final rally. Jordan Matthews then grounded to second, but the exchange between TAMU’s middle infielders was bobbled by shortstop Kristen Cuyos that let pinch runner Lily Mann reach second safely. The very next hitter, Jaimie Hoover hit a routine ground ball to short that scooted past Cuyos and loaded the bases for Aleshia Ocasio. Ocasio drew a four-pitch walk that tied the ball game. Aggies coach Jo Evans made the decision to pull starter Trinity Harrington for Payton McBride. However, McBride walked Janell Wheaton to score Matthews and put Florida in the win column by a final count of 5-4.
After the game, Florida coach Tim Walton spoke about his offensive catalyst, Lorenz, stating multiple times that “she is the best player in the country.”
Florida got behind in the third as Kelly Barnhill appeared to be affected by the two delays. Barnhill hit Riley Sartain before walking a pair of Aggies to load the bases. Sarah Hudek ripped a single to the right side that plated a pair of Aggies.
The Gators got one back in the bottom half of the third when Amanda Lorenz hit an RBI double that scored Sophia Reynoso.
Both teams added a run in the fourth before the dramatic conclusion.
Barnhill pitched a complete game while allowing two hits and striking out eight.
Lorenz finished the game 3-3 with a double, a homer, and 2 RBIs. Wheaton added a pair of RBI while going 1-2 at the dish.
Florida has a 1-0 lead in the best of three super regional. The two teams will play again on Friday at 7:00 PM.
Stay tuned with The Gator Chomp Blog for all the latest as the Florida softball team continues through postseason play.
W: Barnhill (29-1)
L: Harrington (13-6)