After earning his 1,000th career D1 victory against LSU, head coach Tim Walton and UF softball were handed a crushing defeat on the road versus Florida State.
No. 9 Florida (38-14, 13-11 SEC) fell to No. 3 FSU (46-5, 16-5 ACC) on Tuesday. To add to the Gators’ despair, the loss came on a walk off home run in the bottom of the seventh.
The Gators struck first, scoring on a bases-loaded groundout from 1B Avery Goelz which brought in catcher Sam Roe. FSU responded quickly with an RBI double the inning after. From there on, both teams were locked in a stalemate.
Pitcher Elizabeth Hightower held the ‘Noles to just two hits. Florida State’s Kathryn Sandercock allowed just two and earned a stunning 1.47 ERA.
After Florida failed to score in the top of the seventh, it was up to the Gators defense to hold out in the final frame for extra innings. FSU center fielder Jahni Kerr stepped up to the plate. She letting two balls pass and then took Hightower’s pitch deep for the walk off home run. Florida was sent home unhappy.
Key Performances
- Sam Roe, C
- 3 AB, 1 H, 1 R
- Avery Goelz
- 2 AB, 1 RBI
Pitching Decision
- W: Kathryn Sandercock, FSU (25-1)
- 7.0 IP, 4 K, 1.47 ERA
- L: Elizabeth Hightower, UF (12-7)
- 6.0 IP, 5 K, 2.51 ERA
On Deck
Starting Friday, the Gators host a tournament including doubleheaders against Mercer and Florida Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday. Mercer is 15-35 and 7-11 in the SoCon. It won its previous series versus Chattanooga. FGCU is 16-31 and 9-15 in the ASun Conference.
The small weekend tournament serves as the last regular season games for Florida before the SEC tournament begins. First pitch against Mercer on Friday is scheduled for 5 p.m. The game will be streamed on SECNetwork+.