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Gators freshman right fielder Taylor Shumaker knows how to fill a role, especially as Florida’s only freshman starter. She has been nothing but impressionable behind home plate as she leads the teams behind veteran players.

In the bottom of the third, she planted her feet behind home plate she she tilted her arms back and eyed the ball. Shumaker locked eyes and launched the ball to left field as she made her way around the diamond. Her teammates cheered her on as she made her way to home plate and managed to score the only home run of the game.

The No. 2 Florida Gators softball team (9-0) defeated the Boston College Eagles (3-3) 12-7 Thursday evening for the first game of the Bubly Invitational in Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

UF sophmore right-handed pitcher Ava Brown started on the mound for the Gators. Brown kept her composure on the circle as she struck out the first few Eagles batters. Boston College brought the heat after Brown gave up a walk to senior infielder Zoe Hines. A quick look to home plate from Brown quickly ended the Eagles high as Hines stretch to home plate was unearned.

“We have been leaning on each other and just having trust in each other has allowed us to be so successful,” catcher Jocelyn Erickson said.

Boston College right-handed pitcher Abby Dunning walked UF senior center fielder Kendra Falby to start he bottom of the first inning. Florida earned its first run of the game with a RBI single to left field from the junior, Erickson, and brought Falby home.

Shumaker stole home base to put the Gators in the lead 2 to 1. Moments later, Erickson scored off junior third baseman Kenleigh Cahalan who reached on a fielders choice.

With the bases loaded a single to left field from sophomore second baseman Mia Williams, Dunning walked UF sophomore designated hitter Cassidy McLellan to bring senior first baseman Reagan Walsh home.

“We have been leaning on each other and just having trust in each other has allowed us to be so successful,” Erickson said.

Florida closed the the first inning with a fly out to left field from senior shortstop Rylee Holtorf which brought Cahalan back to home plate and gave the Gators a four-run lead.

The Eagles fought to stay in the game with the bases loaded early in the second, but a quick catch by Holtorf put an end to their chances at an earned run. It was much later that Boston College found their momentum, Brown gave up a walk to sophomore shortstop Gator Robinson which was followed by three runs later, the last being off a wild pitch. However, it wasn’t enough to carry over the Gators as they remained in the lead 5 to 4.

Erickson found her groove in the bottom half of the second as she doubled to right center for two earned runs that brought home Otis and Shumaker. Cahalan closed out the second with with a fly out to center field that brought Erickson home and pushed the Gators lead to 8 to 4.

Boston College found their way with one run scored early in the third, but the Gators kept their fiery momentum. A double from Falby scored Holtorf home and a homer from Shumaker sealed the third as she carried Falby home for a 11 to 5 lead over the Eagles.

UF shut the Eagles out of the fourth as they remained scoreless. The Gators found themself at second base but were unable to make their way around the diamond to end the fourth.

Gators sophomore right-handed pitcher Kara Hammock replaced Brown on the mound to start the fifth. Eagles junior third baseman Janis Espinoza singled to center field and brought senior right fielder Jordan Stephens home.

While Florida remained in the lead 11 to 6 they were unable get on the board to close the fifth. A quite sixth inning gave Florida one run a with a double to left field brought Williams home.

Next up, the Gators will continue their run in the Bubly Invitational with a double header against Duke and Providence at 4:30 p.m.