Florida won its first three games at the USF Invitational in Tampa before Sunday’s game was postponed due to weather.
The Gators scored seven runs in the second inning Friday en route to season-opening, run-rule victory over Boston University.
On Saturday, Florida shut out Boston College and Illinois State Saturday by a combined 30-run margin.
Leadoff hitter Kendra Falby scored Florida’s first run of the season and drove in four runs this weekend. Catcher Sam Roe started her sophomore season 3-3 at the plate with a two-run homer and four RBIs.
Shortstop Skylar Wallace batted in Florida’s three-hole in all three games and went yard in her season debut. Third baseman Charla Echols hit cleanup and is off to a three-game hit streak with four RBIs.
After a modest start at the plate, Gator sophomore Reagan Walsh erupted against Illinois State with a pair of homers and six RBIs — matching her career-high. The Redondo Beach, Calif., native hit a grand slam in her first at-bat and a two-run shot in the third inning.
Senior southpaw Rylee Trlicek started in the circle for Florida and earned the first win of the year. Trlicek picked up her second victory Saturday after the Hallettsville, Texas, native tossed four shutout innings against Illinois State.
Florida right-hander Elizabeth Hightower struck out seven of the 16 Boston College batters she faced Saturday. The graduate student hurled a no-hitter barring the leadoff double she conceded in the fourth inning.
Florida freshman Olivia Gigante made her collegiate debut in the circle Saturday against Illinois State. The right-hander came in for relief for Trlick and pitched a one-two-three inning to seal the victory. Following an 0-3 start at the plate, Gigante hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the top of the fifth to give Florida a 21-0 lead. The San Diego, Calif., native became the first Gator softball freshman in over a decade to pitch and hit a home run in the same game.
Game 1 Box Score
Boston University: 2 / 4 / 2
No. 4 Florida: 11 / 9 / 1
Individual Stats
LHP Trlicek (W): 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Bender: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- LF Falby: 2-3, 2 RBI
- RF Goddard: 0-3
- SS Wallace: 1-2, RBI, HR
- 3B Echols: 1-2, 2 RBI
- 2B Walsh: 1-3
- C Roe: 3-3, 4 RBI, HR
- 1B A. Goelz: 0-2
- DH Gigante: 0-1
- CF Kistler: 1-2
Game 2 Box Score
Boston College: 0 / 1 / 0
No. 4 Florida: 9 / 7 / 0
Individual Stats
RHP Hightower (W): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
- LF Falby: 1-4
- CF Goddard: 1-1
- SS Wallace: 0-1
- 3B Echols: 1-2, 2 RBI
- 1B Walsh: 0-1, RBI
- 2B Roe: 1-2, 2 RBI
- RF A. Goelz: 2-3, 2 RBI
- C Longley: 1-3, 2 RBI
- DH Gigante: 0-2
Game 3 Box Score
No. 4 Florida: 21 / 12 / 0
Illinois State: 0 / 5 / 1
Individual Stats
LHP Trlicek (W): 4 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Gigante: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
- CF Falby: 1-3, 2 RBI
- RF Goddard: 2-3, RBI
- 2B Wallace: 1-3, RBI
- 3B Echols: 1-3
- PR Wellen: 1-1, 2 RBI
- 1B Walsh: 2-4, 6 RBI, 2 HR
- P Gigante: 1-1, 4 RBI, HR
- LF A. Goelz: 2-3
- C Longley: 0-0, 3 BB
- SS Pollard: 1-1, 2 RBI
On Deck
The Gators will face Jacksonville on the road Tuesday before they return to Gainesville for their home opener Wednesday against the Dolphins.
[…] The Gators are off to a 4-0 start to the season following a dominating performance at the USF Invitational. […]