SB: Gators Bounce Back as Lugo Shuts Out Gamecocks
Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk.com

Senior right-hander Natalie Lugo hurled her first complete-game shutout this season as No. 3 Florida bounced back from Friday’s one-run loss against South Carolina.

The Gators faced South Carolina right-hander Leah Powell again and took her yard twice until the Gamecocks finally made their first pitching change of the weekend.

Florida second baseman Hannah Adams unleashed the scoring with a leadoff solo shot to right-center in the bottom of the first. An inning later, left fielder Jaimie Hoover ripped a two-run homer just fair down the left-field line.

Gamecocks pitcher Karsen Ochs entered the circle in relief but gave up a double to Florida shortstop Sarah Longley, who scored the fourth unanswered run on a South Carolina throwing error.

After a scoreless fourth frame, the top of Florida’s lineup delivered two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey singled through the right side before third baseman Charla Echols hit her team-high 11th home run this season.

After she yielded six baserunners the first two times through South Carolina’s lineup, Lugo retired nine straight batters to secure the Gators’ 15th shutout victory this year.

Final (R/H/E)

SC: 0 / 4 / 1

UF: 6 / 8 / 0

Pitching Decision

Win: Lugo (12-1)

Loss: Powell (8-3)

Individual Stats (season totals)

Lugo: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (1.31 ERA)

  1. Adams: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR (6) (.414 BA)
  2. Lindsey: 1-4, 1 R (.344 BA)
  3. Echols: 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (11) (.368 BA)
  4. Lindaman: 0-2, 1 BB (.315 BA)
  5. Cottrill: 1-3, 1 R (.287 BA)
  6. Matthews: 0-3 (.220 BA)
  7. Hoover: 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 HR (3) (.256 BA)
  8. Longley: 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B (.182 BA)
  9. A. Goelz: 0-2 (.253 BA)

Rubber Match

The Gators will look to clinch their sixth straight conference series victory Sunday at 1 p.m. on SEC Network+.

Posted in ,

Leave a comment