SB: Gators Run-Rule DePaul in Orlando to Open UCF Knights Classic

No. 4 Florida kicked off the UCF Knights Classic Friday night in Orlando with an 11-3 run-rule victory — its fourth mercy-rule win in the past week — over DePaul.

Right-hander Marissa Mesiemore made her first career start in the circle for the Gators and retired DePaul’s first seven batters in order before the graduate student loaded the bases in the top of the third. Florida shortstop Reagan Walsh committed her team-high fourth error this season, which allowed DePaul’s first run to score.

The next at-bat, Mesiemore surrendered a two-run single up the middle before Florida head coach Tim Walton called in freshman right-hander Lexie Delbrey for relief. Delbrey escaped the jam and pitched the remainder of the game.

Florida’s offense racked up a season-high 15 hits and seven different batters drove in at least one run. Leadoff hitter Kendra Falby extended her on-base streak to 13 games as the freshman left fielder went 2-3 with an RBI. The outing marked Falby’s eighth multi-hit performance already this season.

Despite making Florida’s lone error in the field, Walsh delivered a pair of RBI singles and drew a bases-loaded walk to complete a 3-RBI effort at the plate.

Florida first baseman Skylar Wallace reached base in all four of her at-bats. In the bottom of the first, the redshirt junior roped an RBI double down the line to open up the scoring. In the third, Florida tallied seven runs and batted around its lineup as Wallace hit an infield single before she drew a hit-by-pitch later that inning.

Wallace capped off the night by drawing a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth and scoring the game-clinching run.

Final (R/H/E)

DePaul: 11 / 15 / 1

#4 Florida: 3 / 5 / 1

Pitching Decision

Win: Delbrey (5-0)

Loss: Halvorson (2-1)

Individual Stats

Mesiemore: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K (3.94/1.13 season ERA/WHIP)

Delbrey: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (0.97/0.90)

1. LF Falby: 2-3, R, RBI, BB (.524 season BA)
2. 2B Adams: 1-2, R, 2 RBI, BB (.450)
3. 1B Wallace: 2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HBP, 2 SB (.389)
4. 3B Echols: 1-3, R, BB, SB (.317)
5. SS Walsh: 2-3, R, 3 RBI, BB (.359)
6. CF Lindsey: 2-3, 2 R, SB (.436)
7. PH/C Wilkie: 1-2, 2 R, RBI (.250)
8. C Roe: 1-2, RBI, K (.200)
9. DP/RF Kistler: 2-2, R, RBI (.438)

Next Up

The Gators will face Oakland Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ahead of Sunday’s doubleheader versus a pair of ranked teams — No. 22 James Madison and No. 24 UCF.