ChompTalk.com

In Sunday’s shutout victory over Louisville, Florida left-handed pitcher Katie Chronister shined in the circle yet again. The Gainesville native improved to 5-0 after blanking the Cardinals through six frames while racking up a career-high eight strikeouts.

Florida head coach Tim Walton praised Chronister’s precision thus far. “[She’s] performed very, very well,” Walton said. “I’m really proud of her and the location she has on her pitches.”

Chronister holds a team-low a 0.36 WHIP and is the only Florida pitcher with a sub-.100 batting average against. Through just two starts and five total appearances, the fifth-year senior has already thrown more innings this year than she did in any of her first four seasons at UF. In fact, her 22 innings pitched leads all remaining pitchers with a perfect 0.00 earned run average.

Chronister’s elevated role and improvement is evident. In her first four seasons as a Gator, the southpaw compiled an unremarkable 2.40 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP.

Walton relied on Chronister primarily as a reliever as she made only seven starts through four seasons. Prior to 2021, Chronister hadn’t lasted four innings in a single game since her sophomore season in 2018. Recently, however, the left-hander has proven her stamina, lasting at least six innings in each of her last two starts.

After hurling a complete-game shutout against Charlotte on Feb. 21, Chronister earned SEC Pitcher of the Week honors. She pitched 12.2 shutout innings en route to picking up three wins in three appearances.

“Being able to establish my spots, not leaving too many down the middle and making sure that I have a defense that can work for me will always make me successful,” Chronister said after the game.

As the start of SEC play approaches and the level of competition increases, No. 6 Florida will continue to lean on Chronister’s early-season success. The Gators will face New Mexico State at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium Wednesday night ahead of a home-and-home weekend series against in-state rival Florida State.