The No. 10 Florida Gators got out their brooms, but it wasn’t for Sunday cleaning.
For the first time since 2018, Florida (29-4, 5-1 SEC) sent home the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats with not only a series loss but a three-game clean sweep.
Reigning SEC Player of the Year Skylar Wallace led the offense with three RBI, three runs scored, two hits and a career-high tying three stolen bases.
“I think we’re looking to get into scoring position every time because we have so many batters that can do so many things,” she said in post game interviews.
Two of her RBI came on a big two-run homer against the Wildcats (20-11, 0-6 SEC) in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Even with great numbers so far this season, the short stop said she feels she has struggled this season but learned to take on a new role of leadership within her team and trust in her teammates.
“I’m not the only one out there,” she said.
Catcher Jocelyn Erickson was right there with her. She produced three RBI on two hits.
Keagan Rothrock started her second game of the weekend in the circle for the Gators. In another stellar performance, she held the Wildcats to one run and four hits through seven innings of play.
She said she gained confidence going into the Gators’ first home SEC series after a feeling shaky in her first start in Tuscaloosa.
Rothrock gave up a run in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly but got out of a bases-loaded jam quickly after.
She said she maintains her composure in those stressful situations by “just knowing that I can still throw something that either I can get a weak out with or get them to swing through.”
The Gators didn’t enforce the mercy run-rule today, but there’s no doubt the offense has been close to unstoppable.
“Their [Kentucky’s] pitch calling this weekend was stressful because there’s runners in scoring position, or somebody can hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Florida softball head coach Tim Walton said. “there really wasn’t any opportunity to take a breath.”
Walton was not surprised with success of his team. He said his players are more than getting along.
“I think we’re gelling together pretty well.”
The Gators will travel to Starkville to play the No. 20 Mississippi State Bulldogs in a three-game series. The first game of the series is set for Thursday at 6 p.m.
ChompTalk.com 
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