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For the first time since 2021, the Florida Gators (40-12) defeated their rivals from Tallahassee, Florida State (40-11). The two teams needed extra innings to decide the victor, but the Gators came out on top, 15-13.

The Gators got out to a quick start, scoring in their first at bat on Regan Walsh’s RBI single that plated Jocelyn Erickson. The Seminoles answered however and took a 2-1 lead on a Jaysoni Beachum homer in the bottom half of the inning.

Florida struck for two more in the top of the second to regain the lead but FSU countered with a run of their own in the bottom of the second to even the score. The Seminoles added another home run to the ledger in the third to go ahead, 4-3.

The Gators would continue getting good at-bats and broke through again in the fourth when Korbe Otis hit an RBI double and was followed by an Erickson homer to right center and the Gators took a 7-4 lead through four innings.

Florida would add to the advantage in the fifth with four runs, including an infield, RBI-single by Kendra Falby that plated Katie Kistler.

Trailing 11-4, the Seminoles began to mount a comeback in the bottom of the sixth when Jahni Kerr hit a two run homer to close the gap. Florida pitching allowed a run by walking in a run. Florida led 11-7 heading into the final frame.

Once again, the Florida offense rebounded to give the Gators a bigger cushion. Otis hit a two run homer to increase the lead to six.

The Seminoles, however, weren’t done yet. FSU came all the way back and evened the score on a three-run blast from Kalei Harding, her second of the game.

The Gators finally broke through in the ninth as Kendra Falby homered barely over the right centerfield fence. Florida tacked on another run on a bases loaded walk to take a 15-13 lead into the bottom of the ninth.

The Seminoles got a one out runner on but that was eliminated on a double play to end the inning.

Falby finished the night 5-6 with four runs scored and four RBI. Otis went 2-3 with a double and a homer and 4 RBI. In the circle, Keagan Rothrock tossed 7.2 innings to pick up her twenty-first win of the year. She threw more than 150 pitches in the effort.

The Gators will host No. 8 Texas A&M from Friday through Sunday.