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The Florida Gators evened their series against No. 1 Oklahoma with a display of power that the Sooners have rarely seen. Florida blasted four home runs to claim a 9-4 victory Friday night.

For Florida, it’s the first time they’ve beaten the nation’s No. 1 ranked team since the 2014 College World Series and the first time they’ve won a home contest against the top ranked team since 2007.

How It Happened:

Oklahoma got on the scoreboard first as Gabbie Garcia grounded out to score Kasidi Pickering to take the early lead in the top of the first.

Florida (41-13, 12-10) rebounded to plate a run in the bottom half of the inning on Reagan Walsh’s single up the middle that plated Jocelyn Erickson.

Freshman Taylor Shumaker hit a grand slam in the second inning on the first pitch she saw to put the Gators ahead 5-1. Shumaker’s blast came with two outs following Erickson’s four pitch walk.

The Sooners cut the deficit to just one with a three-run homer by E_ Parker in the top of the fifth but senior CF Kendra Falby likely saved a run with a ridiculous leaping catch in center.

The Gators carried that momentum into the bottom of the fifth, responding with three home runs to increase the advantage to 9-4. Reagan Walsh led off the inning with a blast to left on a 1-0 pitch. Three batters later, sophomore Mia Williams crushed her 19th homer of the season off the pitching lab beyond the fence in left. Fellow sophomore Ava Brown followed with a solo shot of her own.

The Sooners had a big opportunity in the sixth inning as a walk and single put two on with no outs. Ava Brown entered the circle in relief and induced a fielder’s choice for the first out. Brown then recorded a strikeout and forced a fly out to end the threat without any damage to the scoreboard.

A Sooner reached third base in the top of the seventh, but Brown got S_ Barker to ground out to third to end the game and even the series.

Walsh finished the game 4-4 at the plate. Korbe Otis was the only other Gator to record multiple hits, going 2-3. Despite going 0-2 at the plate, Erickson scored twice after reaching on walks.

In the circle, Kara Hammock (W, 8-1) got the start for the Gators. She tossed four innings before turning it over to freshman Katelyn Oxley in the fifth inning. After Oxley threw one inning, head coach Tim Walton made the move to sophomore Ava Brown. Brown (S, 3) finished the final two innings allowing no hits and just one walk.

On Deck:

Florida and Oklahoma will enter the final day of the regular season with a rubber match on hand. The game is set for a 5:00 PM first pitch and will air live on ESPN.