
With runners on first and second with two outs in the top of the seventh, Baylor’s Aliyah Binford hit a 3-2 offering from Keagan Rothrock straight up in the air near first base. Florida senior first baseman Avery Goelz called for it and came away with the grab that sent the Gators to their twelfth Women’s College World Series appearance.
The Gators got the scoring started early as Jocelyn Erickson hit a sacrifice fly to score Korbe Otis. Reagan Walsh followed with a single to right to score Skylar Wallace and put the Gators ahead 2-0.
Florida added to its advantage in the second on Mia Williams’ sixth homer of the season, a two-run shot to center, and the lead increased to 4-0.
The Gators had an opportunity for another big inning in the third, loading the bases with no outs. Ava Brown appeared to draw a walk, but Baylor challenged that Katie Kistler left the bag early at second. Upon review, she was out and the pitch was replayed. Brown walked, but it didn’t force in a run. Williams followed with a sharp liner caught by Bears pitcher Aliyah Binford, but Brown was caught off the base to end the threat.
With the momentum having swung, Baylor capitalized with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth (Emily Hott, two run home run) to cut the lead to one at 4-3.
Florida added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth after, again, loading the bases with no outs. Freshman Ariel Kowalewski hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Erickson to increase the lead to 5-3.
Rothrock (30-7) pitched a complete game allowing just three runs (two earned) and eight hits while striking out three and walking two.
The Gators are heading out to Oklahoma City for the College World Series. They will open WCWS play with a matchup against Oklahoma State on Thursday, the time has yet to be announced.

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