SB: Gators Win Series Opener in Oxford Thursday

After dropping three of its past four contests, No. 9 Florida found the win column Thursday in Oxford, Mississippi, as it captured a 7-4 victory over Ole Miss.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Gators scored two runs in the third before driving in five more in the fourth. With two outs in the top of the third, Florida third baseman Charla Echols hit a two-run double into the left-center gap to kick off the scoring.

An inning later, center fielder Kendra Falby extended the lead on a two-RBI double into the right-center gap. The next batter — shortstop Skylar Wallace — roped a two-run double down the left-field line before the junior Alabama transfer scored Florida’s seventh and final run on a wild pitch.

Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower made her 17th start this season and tossed five shutout frames until the senior gave up a two-out RBI single followed by a three-run homer. Hightower earned the win but exited the circle in favor of senior right-hander Natalie Lugo to begin the bottom of the seventh.

Lugo yielded a leadoff walk, but the West Covina, California, native settled in and retired the next three batters to clinch her second save this year and Florida’s 10th road win.

Final (R/H/E)

#9 Florida: 7 / 10 / 0

Ole Miss: 4 / 7 / 1

Pitching Decision

Win: Hightower (11-4)

Loss: Riley (7-3)

Save: Lugo (2)

Individual Stats

RHP Hightower: 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

RHP Lugo: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

1. SS Wallace: 3-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB
2. 2B Adams: 0-4, K
3. 3B Echols: 2-3, 2 RBI, BB
4. DP Walsh: 0-4, K
5. RF Lindsey: 1-3, R, BB, 2 K
6. C Roe: 0-4, R
7. LF Kistler: 2-4, R, K
8. 1B Longley: 0-2
9. CF Falby: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI

Next Up

The Gators will look to clinch the series Friday at 2 p.m.