After clinching its first away series of 2022 this past weekend against Texas A&M, No. 6 Florida shut out Stetson 7-0 in DeLand, Florida, Tuesday night. The Gators improve to 26-3 overall and 7-1 on the road while extending their win streak versus the Hatters to six games.
Florida right-hander Lexie Delbrey made her 10th start this season and threw five scoreless innings en route to picking up her ninth win — leading all pitchers on the team. The freshman Bainbridge, Georgia, native struck out seven batters and gave up only one hit and a pair of walks.
In the bottom of the sixth, fifth-year right-hander Natalie Lugo took over Delbrey’s duties in the circle. Lugo pitched the final two innings and retired six of the seven batters she faced — she struck out one looking and two swinging — to complete a combined two-hitter.
The Gators’ lineup remained hot as they racked up double-digit hits for the second straight game. Freshman center fielder Kendra Falby led off the game with a single into left before she stole her 22nd base this year — sixth most in the nation and second most in the SEC trailing only Florida shortstop Skylar Wallace.
Wallace drove in Falby on a sacrifice fly to give the Gators an early one-run advantage. After a pair of scoreless frames, Florida freshman Reagan Walsh tacked on another run via a solo shot — her team-high fifth home run this season.
Falby led off the fifth with a triple into right-center and scored on a wild pitch. A few batters later, senior third baseman Charla Echols delivered a two-run bomb — her fourth this year — to give the Gators a commanding 5-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Florida added two insurance runs. Echols and right fielder Cheyenne Lindsey each poked RBI singles to cap off stellar performances for the senior duo. Lindsey recorded a perfect on-base percentage as she went 3-3 with three singles and a walk.
Final (R/H/E)
#6 Florida: 7 / 10 / 0
Stetson: 0 / 2 / 0
Pitching Decision
Win: Delbrey (9-1)
Loss: Hobbs (3-6)
Individual Stats
RHP Delbrey: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
RHP Lugo: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
- CF Falby: 2-4, 2 R, 2 K, SB
- 2B Adams: 0-3, BB, K
- SS Wallace: 1-1, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB
- 3B Echols: 2-3, R, 3 RBI, BB
- DP Walsh: 1-4, R, RBI, HR (5)
- RF Lindsey: 3-3, RBI, BB
- 1B A. Goelz: 0-3
- C Roe: 1-3
- LF Kistler: 0-3, K
Next Up
The Gators and Hatters will meet for a rematch in Gainesville Wednesday at 6 p.m. before Florida welcomes Tennessee this weekend.