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The Florida Gators (44-14, 14-10 SEC) opened NCAA tournament play with a resounding 8-0 win over the Mercer Bears in the Gainesville regional in front of 2,140 fans Friday evening.

Despite a slow start offensively, the Gators were able to earn the run-rule victory after just five innings of play.

Kara Hammock got the start for the Gators in the circle. In the top of the first, she allowed a one out base hit, but the inning ended after she induced a 6-4-3 double play.

In the second, a walk and a hit batter put runners on first and second with two outs, but once again, Hammock navigated the trouble forcing a line out to end the threat.

Florida finally had an opportunity in the bottom of the inning as Mia Williams was hit by a pitch with one out. That was followed by a bloop single from Ava Brown. Kenleigh Cahalan walked to load the bases with two outs, but Rylee Holtorf ended the inning with a fly out to center.

The Bears threatened to score in the third inning as well. Hallie Langford singled with one out. That was followed by a four-pitch walk to Parris Wiggs. After recording an out, Hammock walked Jones to load the bases with two down. Head coach Tim Walton made the move to Brown who promptly forced a fly out to left, leaving Mercer scoreless.

Florida, on the other hand, finally broke through in the bottom half of the inning. Kendra Falby led off the frame drawing a walk before freshman Taylor Shumaker crushed a two-run blast to right to give the Gators a 2-0 advantage.

Three batters later, Mia Williams smacked a 3-2 pitch down the left field line that plated Jocelyn Erickson. Williams then scored on Cahalan’s double to make it 4-0. Holtorf would complete the scoring in the inning with a bunt single that scored Korbe Otis.

With Brown in the circle, Florida retired the Mercer side in order in the top of the fourth. The Gators added a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, Williams set the tone with a two-run double that saw Erickson and Reagan Walsh cross home plate and increase the lead to 7-0.

The Bears collected a pair of singles in the fifth, but were again shutout by Brown. Florida completed the game with a run in the bottom of the inning. Gabi Comia led off the inning with a single up the middle. Falby then singled to left before Shumaker walked to load the bases. Erickson singled up the middle to score Comia and end the game in walk-off fashion.

In total, the Gators recorded eleven hits in 23 at bats (.478 average), additionally they were 9-16 with runners on base and 5-11 with runners in scoring position.

Erickson (2-3) and Williams (2-2) were the only Gators to record multiple hits and every player that appeared at the plate reached base at least once.

Brown (11-3) picked up her eleventh win of the season, tossing the final 2.1 innings giving up just two base hits.

On Deck:

The Gators advance to the winner’s bracket of the regional tournament. Florida will take on Florida Atlantic (45-10, 23-4) Saturday afternoon with the first pitch scheduled for 12:00 PM.