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  • SB: Ocasio, Lorenz power Gators past Alabama and into SEC semifinal

    SB: Ocasio, Lorenz power Gators past Alabama and into SEC semifinal

    FLORIDA 5, ALABAMA 2

    RUNS HITS ERRORS
    BAMA 2 4 1
    GATORS 5 6 0

    Columbia, MO– Two of the top players in the SEC led Florida past Alabama in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday. The Gators topped the Crimson Tide 5-2 to advance to the SEC Semifinals on Friday.

    Facing a two run deficit, Gators outfielder and All-SEC first teamer, Aleshia Ocasio smacked a two run homer to right in the fourth inning to tie the game.

    In the sixth inning, it was the SEC Player of the Year, Amanda Lorenz, who crushed a three run homer to center to put Florida ahead late.

    Florida starter Kelly Barnhill pitched five innings in the no-decision before Ocasio relieved her for the final two frames to earn the win. Barnhill allowed three hits and walked five as the Alabama hitters laid off many of her deep-count rise balls. Barnhill finished with five strikeouts, but fared much better after allowing two first inning runs.

    Ocasio improves to 19-6 on the season by allowing only one hit in her appearance.

    Lorenz finished the game 1-3, but reached base three times (once via a walk and once via an error). DP/RF Jordan Matthews was the only Gator to record multiple base hits, going 2-4 against the Tide.

    Florida’s comeback was completed despite a terrible call by the umpiring crew in the third inning when Lorenz was called out at the plate for the third out, but SEC Network replays clearly showed Lorenz safe. It’s plays like this that emphasize the need for replay in collegiate softball.

    The Gators are now 48-8 on the season and advance to the SEC semifinals where they will meet #4 Tennessee on Friday at 5:30 PM. The Volunteers defeated #5 seed LSU by a 1-0 final score on Thursday.

    Stay with The Gator Chomp Blog as we continue coverage of Florida’s playoff run through the SEC Tournament and (hopefully) a deep run through the NCAA Tournament.

    W: Ocasio (19-6)

    L: Alexis Osorio (13-9)

  • SB: Aleshia Ocasio named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week

    SB: Aleshia Ocasio named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week

    Florida pitcher Aleshia Ocasio was named the SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

    Ocasio pitched a complete game shutout in the second game of the series at Missouri and earned a win in relief in the series finale on Sunday.

    In earning the series win, Ocasio registered ten strikeouts for the third time this season while only allowing five hits and giving up one free pass.

    The senior from St. Cloud, FL, relieved freshman Natalie Lugo in Sunday’s 7-4 victory, pitching a total of 4.2 innings and earning the victory after Kayli Kvistad crushed a three-run homer for the win.

    Ocasio now sports a record of 18-6 to go along with a 1.25 ERA. Ocasio has struck out 146 batters while limiting her walks to 14 in 128.2 innings this season.

    Ocasio shares the honor with LSU senior Allie Walljasper.

    Per the SEC release:

    Co-Pitchers of the Week
    Aleshia Ocasio • Florida
    Senior • RHP • St. Cloud, Fla.

    Ocasio went 2-0 in the circle at Missouri this past weekend. In game two, she struck out 10 batters in her sixth complete-game shutout of the season. In game three, Ocasio came in relief and fanned two batters in 4.2 innings of work as the Gators earned the series sweep over the Tigers.

    The Gators have completed regular season play with a 47-8 overall record and a 20-4 SEC mark. Florida opens the SEC Tournament on Thursday as the number one seed and will play the winner of Wednesday night’s Alabama-Auburn contest.

  • BSB: Brady Singer named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week

    BSB: Brady Singer named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week

    Photo via the Associated Press

    Florida RHP Brady Singer is red-hot and the SEC seems to have taken notice.

    Singer threw his first career complete game shutout on Friday as the Gators topped Texas A&M 9-0. Singer allowed only six hits while striking out five and walking none in the win.

    On Monday, the Southeastern Conference announced Singer as the Co-Pitcher of the Week for his effort.

    Singer has thrown 30 innings in his last four starts while only allowing four runs in that span for an ERA of 1.20.

    Last week, the junior from Esutis, FL, outduelled perennial first overall pick Casey Mize of Auburn (whom he shared this week’s honor with).

    Singer was a second round (#56 overall) pick in the 2015 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and surprised many when he chose to come to Florida instead of chasing his professional dreams. However, he appears to have improved his draft stock and is widely considered to be taken the first several picks by draft analysts.

    Singer is 10-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 12 started this year to go along with a 86:17 K/BB ratio in 81 innings of work.

    The Gators (38-11, 18-6) return to action on Tuesday with a midweek showdown with #24 South Florida before a weekend series at home against SEC rival Georgia beginning Friday.

  • SB: Gators clinch #1 seed in SEC Tournament, will play Thursday night

    SB: Gators clinch #1 seed in SEC Tournament, will play Thursday night

    The Florida Gators clinched the SEC regular season title on Friday with a victory at Missouri paired with a Georgia loss to Mississippi. For Florida, it was the fourth straight regular season crown and their eighth in program history.

    The Gators (47-8, 20-4) will begin their postseason run in this week’s SEC Tournament as the top seed and won’t have to play until Thursday night.

    Florida will face the winner of Wednesday’s late contest between Alabama (33-17, 12-12) and Auburn (40-14, 11-12).

    The 2018 SEC Softball Tournament via SECsports.com

    The first and second round games can be seen on SEC Network while ESPNU will carry the semifinal action before ESPN2 covers the Championship game on Sunday.

  • LAX: Gators earn #6 overall seed, will host second round of NCAA Tournament

    LAX: Gators earn #6 overall seed, will host second round of NCAA Tournament

    Photo via Twitter.com/GatorsLax

    The Big East Conference champions found out their NCAA Tournament fate Sunday night.

    Florida, which hasn’t lost a conference game since 2015 (33 straight wins), will begin it’s quest for a national title in the second round as the number six overall seed.

    The Gators are the last seed to have a first round bye and will face the winner of the Jacksonville (16-3) – Colorado (13-5) matchup set for Friday at 4:00 PM.

    Photo via NCAA.com

    The Gators will play on Sunday, and regardless of who wins the opening round tilt, UF should have some familiarity with their opponent. Florida defeated Colorado to kick off the season by a 16-9 margin and later in the year topped Jacksonville 16-5.

    Florida is led by the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Lindsey Ronbeck; the Big East Midfielder of the Year, Sydney Pirreca; and the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year, Haley Hicklen.

    Florida head coach Amanda O’Leary has guided the Gators to the postseason in each of the last with seasons including a Final Four berth in 2012.

    Stay tuned with The Gator Chomp Blog as Florida makes it’s run through postseason play in it’s quest for the program’s first National Championship.

  • LAX: Gators throttle Denver to claim fourth straight Big East Tournament title

    LAX: Gators throttle Denver to claim fourth straight Big East Tournament title

    FINAL: FLORIDA 19, DENVER 8

    1st 2nd OT FINAL
    DENVER 1 5 X 6
    GATORS 10 8 X 18
    Photo via Twitter.com/GatorsLax

    Gainesville, FL – The Big East record book is probably happy to see the Gators moving to the American Athletic Conference next year. Playing in their final Big East Tournament, Florida put an assault on several records in becoming the first ever Big East four-pete.

    The Gators topped Denver 18-6 in the title game thanks largely to an impressive defensive effort which head coach Amanda O’Leary called it “stellar, they were outstanding.”

    Shannon Kavanagh got the first score of the game with a free-position attempt at the 26:37 mark of the first half. Florida started the game on a 7-0 run spanning the first sixteen minutes of the game before Denver’s Caitlin Derry finally put on behind Gators goalkeeper Haley Hicklen. The Gators never looked back after taking the lead.

    Lindsey Ronbeck poured in seven goals against Denver, and finished the tournament with a Big East record 15. Her final goal, scored with 3:22 left in the game, was her 200th career point. Ronbeck became only the sixth Gator to ever reach that threshold. Ronbeck earned tournament MVP thanks to her efforts.

    Sydney Pirreca finished with three goals while Shayna Pirreca and Grace Haus each added two more. For Shayna Pirreca, this was her program record 39th straight game with a goal scored.

    Shayna Pirreca holds the Big East Championship trophy after the game.

    Gators defender Caroline Trombetta caused six turnovers (a UF program record) for a tournament total of eleven, another Big East record.

    Hicklen made nine saves on the day to add to her single-season UF record.

    The Gators have won 33 straight Big East games and in four years, Florida won 40-41 overall in the conference.

    Florida has now clinched the Big East’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and will await their fate. The Gators will likely host regionals, but that will be found out on Sunday at 9:00 PM as the selection show will air on NCAA.com.

    Team Stats:

    DENVER GATORS
    SHOTS 23 37
    SOG 15 28
    SAVES 10 9
    DRAW CONTROLS 15 11
    TURNOVERS 16 11
  • LAX: Ronbeck’s record setting day puts Florida into Big East Championship Game

    LAX: Ronbeck’s record setting day puts Florida into Big East Championship Game

    FINAL: FLORIDA 19, MARQUETTE 8

    1st 2nd OT FINAL
    MARQUETTE 4 4 X 8
    GATORS 10 9 X 19

    Gainesville, FL – It was a record setting kind of day in Gainesville on Thursday and we aren’t talking about the Florida heat and humidity, this time.

    The Gators advanced to the Big East Conference title game for the fourth consecutive year behind the record breaking performance of Lindsey Ronbeck.

    Ronbeck set a Big East record (and tied a UF program record) by scoring eight goals, including five in the opening period of play. Ronbeck opened the scoring at the 27:43 mark in the first half on the way to leading Florida past the #4 seeded Marquette Golden Eagles.

    Much of the first half was a back and forth affair with Florida keeping just a bit of breathing room between them and Marquette. That was, until Ronbeck struck with just 4.2 seconds remaining in the first half. “That [goal] was a momentum shifter right there,” Gators head coach Amanda O’Leary stated after the win. Ronbeck cited her focus as a contributing factor.

    With momentum on their side, Florida stormed out of the break scoring three goals in the first couple of minutes highlighted by a pair of Ronbeck goals only nine seconds apart.

    The Gators defense was able to hold from there. Florida limited Marquette to just thirteen shots on goal while the Gators seemed to fire at will. Florida finished with 45 shot attempts and 36 of those on net. The Gators defense forced Marquette into 23 turnovers and set the tone for much of the game.

    Ronbeck explained how she exploited the Golden Eagles defense as “from the crease I was able to beat them underneath, I knew they were coming for the backcheck after I sealed [the defender] off. I protected my stick and shot early…because I knew they were weak around the crease.”

    Senior Shayna Pirreca finished with four goals while her sister Sydney added a hat trick as well with three.

    Ronbeck wasn’t the only record setter of the day. Not by a long shot. Marquette GK set a school record with 17 saves. Senior defender Sabrina Cristodero also set a UF program record for draw controls for a season. Cristodero surpassed a mark previously held by Mollie Stevens (2017). Cristodero recorded 11 to up her season total to 110. Also setting a single season record was junior GK Haley Hicklen who set the new mark for saves in a season surpassing the 2012 total of Mikey Meagher. Hicklen was only forced to make three saves, but it was enough for the win and the new program record.

    This was Florida’s 32nd straight win against Big East competition with one more game to be played before the Gators join the American Athletic Conference next season.

    Team Stats:

    MARQ GATORS
    SHOTS 16 45
    SOG 13 36
    SAVES 17 5
    DRAW CONTROLS 14 15
    TURNOVERS 23 9

    What’s Next:

    Florida advances to the Big East Conference Championship game and will face the winner of the Denver-Georgetown contest that is currently ongoing. O’Leary believes that Saturday’s championship game will be tightly contested because both teams are “top ranked teams in the country.”

  • BSB: Singer, India, Kowar projected as first round picks in latest MLB mock draft

    BSB: Singer, India, Kowar projected as first round picks in latest MLB mock draft

    MLB.com writer Jonathan Mayo released his initial MLB first round mock draft on Tuesday. Not surprisingly, Florida is well represented.

    Mayo has Gators pitcher Brady Singer as the second overall pick to San Francisco. Singer entered the season as the top prospect, but Auburn ace Casey Mize has supplanted Singer atop the draft board (although Mayo points out that this is all a guessing game and even notes that the Eustis, FL native out duelled Mize just last week).

    Singer has a 9-1 record to go along with a 2.63 ERA. Singer often faces the opposition’s ace, which puts a lot of value in that record. Singer has struck out 81 hitters while only walking 17 in 72 innings of work.

    The pick value at #2 is $7,494,600.

    Per Mayo:

    2. Giants: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida

    While Singer’s stuff was a bit flatter than it had been previously at the start of this season, it’s bounced back of late, including when he beat Mize in a marquee matchup last week. In addition, no one has the kind of resume Singer has, with three years of outstanding pitching for one of the top college programs in the country.

    Mayo suggests that the Gator who has helped himself the most in this draft class is third baseman Jonathan India. India is projected to Seattle with the fourteenth overall selection.

    India is hitting an SEC-leading .401 with 14 homers and 35 RBI. India also carries a .546 on-base percentage and a .810 slugging percentage. Moneyball enthusiasts would salivate over numbers like that. India also had a 24 game hitting streak that ended just two weeks ago.

    The pick value at #14 is $3,883,300.

    Per Mayo:

    14. Mariners: Jonathan India, 3B, Florida

    No one has played his way up boards more than India, who went from a solid college guy to perhaps the best-performing college hitter in the country. The Mariners have taken a college bat with each of their last five first-round picks.

    Florida righty Jackson Kowar is projected to be taken with the nineteenth pick by St. Louis according to Mayo.

    The 6’6 junior is 7-2 in 11 starts in 2018 and maintains a 2.91 ERA. In 68 innings, Kowar has retired 63 via strikeout and allowed only 28 walks.

    The pick value at #19 is $3,231,700.

    Per Mayo:

    19. Cardinals: Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida

    The Cardinals are not a slam-dunk college team, but they have taken advanced arms with their top picks in 2017 (second round), with one of their first-round selections in 2016, as well as in 2014 and 2013.

    Singer and India were both named to the Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List last month.

    The MLB Draft will be held June 4-6 and can be watched on the MLB Network.

    Florida will resume it’s schedule on Friday with a three game series at Texas A&M. Florida is the number one ranked program in most of the national polls and sit with a 36-10 overall record and a 16-5 SEC mark.

  • My Two Bits: Amanda Lorenz robbed of SEC weekly honors

    My Two Bits: Amanda Lorenz robbed of SEC weekly honors

    Let me start by saying this, Georgia LF Cortni Emanuel is a talented athlete and a very good choice as the SEC Player of the Week. However, no player meant more to their team’s success last week than Amanda Lorenz.

    Let’s start with the SEC release for this week’s honor:

    Player of the Week
    Cortni Emanuel • Georgia
    Senior • OF • Missouri City, Texas

    Emanuel hit .778 this week against No. 18/17 Alabama with an .833 on-base clip. Five of her seven hits never left the infield, bunting for a hit twice against the Crimson Tide. She moved into second all-time at Georgia with 318 hits. Emanuel added four stolen bases on the weekend and now has a career-best 46 this season. She scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh of Saturday’s comeback win over Alabama, clinching the series for the first time since 2005.

    While the .778 batting average and .833 on-base percentage is certainly POW-worthy, her offensive output did little in the way of leading her team to success. This can be evidenced in her scoring three runs and driving in only two in Georgia’s series win against #17 Alabama.

    The case for Lorenz:

    The Florida offense literally goes the way of Lorenz. The junior from Moorpark, CA is the catalyst that makes the Gators offense click.

    Florida began the week with a 5-1 win over rival #6 Florida State. With the game still scoreless, Lorenz led off the sixth with a single up the middle before swiping second on a wild pitch. That opened the flood gates. Lorenz would score on a Nicole DeWitt double and by the time the inning ended, the Gators led 5-0.

    Florida earned a series win against #14 LSU as Lorenz went 5-8 with a double, a triple, two walks, two runs scored and four RBI.

    In the Sunday finale, the Gators were down 3-0 in the fifth when Lorenz came up with the bases loaded. Lorenz hit a triple to left center that cleared the bases to tie the game. Four pitches later, Lorenz crossed home plate and scored the game winning run.

    Overall, Lorenz finished the week with a .636 average and a .692 on base percentage.

    What the SEC should have done:

    The SEC should have allowed for Co-Players of the Week and awarded both Lorenz and Emanuel with the honor.

    While Emanuel is deserving, it certainly feels like the SEC chose to honor the career accomplishments of a very talented player rather than award someone who literally carried her team on her back in three wins over Top-15 programs.

    Florida will complete the regular season this weekend at Missouri before the SEC Tournament begins next week, also in Missouri. The Gators currently have the #3 RPI in the country and are squarely in position to host a regional and super regional series.

  • NFL Draft: Florida DL Taven Bryan selected by Jacksonville at #29 overall

    NFL Draft: Florida DL Taven Bryan selected by Jacksonville at #29 overall

    Florida DL Taven Bryan was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bryan will join a defense that also features former Gators DE Dante Fowler.

    This is the sixth straight year the Gators were represented in the NFL Draft’s first round.

    Bryan played in thirty game for the Gators over three seasons before declaring early for the draft.

    Bryan recorded 62 career tackles, 10.5 of which were for losses while another 5.5 came via quarterback sacks.

    The Casper, Wyoming native measured in at 6’5 and 291 lbs at the combine and has drawn comparisons by draft gurus as a “poor man’s JJ Watt.”. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had Bryan ranked as the #15 overall prospect in the draft.

    The Jaguars were within one quarter of a Super Bowl berth last season while being led by a strong defense.