ChompTalk.com

The Florida Gators are just one win away from packing their bags and heading to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.

The Gators used a familiar formula in taking the opening game of the best-of-three series: score early, and Let Kelly Barnhill do her thing.

Florida opened the scoring in the first inning. Amanda Lorenz led off with a walk and was followed by an RBI double by Kendyl Lindaman. Lindaman would come around to score on a Sophia Reynoso single that just got through the infield.

The Gators added to the lead in the fifth as they converted a leadoff single by Jordan Roberts into a run by Amanda Beane. Jaimie Hoover had the big double to increase the lead to 3-0.

Barnhill pitched a complete game surrendering only three hits.

In the bottom of the sixth, Lorenz walked for the third time which put her in a tie for the SEC career record. Lorenz said she was proud, but as always puts winning before personal accomplishments.

Fast stats:

• Kelly Barnhill: 7IP, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K, 3 BB
• Jaimie Hoover: 2-3, 2B, RBI
• Alex Voss: 2-3, 2B
• Florida: 2-13 (.154) RISP

Quotable:

• Tim Walton: “I’m proud of the momentum and the effort.”
• Kelly Barnhill: “As the game [wore on], my pitches were getting better.”
• Amanda Lorenz: “It was a fun first inning, giving Kelly the lead.”
• Jaimie Hoover: “I feel really good at the plate.”

What’s next:

Florida will face Tennessee on Saturday at 6:00 PM with a chance to eliminate their SEC foe from postseason play. The Gators will be looking to advance to the WCWS for the third straight year.

Attendance: 2,106