The top ranked Florida Gator softball team embarked in a seesaw battle with the 11th ranked Missouri Tigers in Game 1 of the final series of the regular season. Two unlikely heroes gave the Gators the slight edge in a 7-6 victory in Columbia.
Typically, when Lauren Haeger gets the start in the circle the Gators end up with the victory but that was not the case on Friday night. Haeger allowed four earned runs in just two innings of work. A change needed to be made.
Florida coach Tim Walton decided to bring in Delanie Gourley out of the bullpen and it worked out perfectly for the Gators. Entering the game down 4-2, the sophomore mowed down the Tigers only allowing two earned runs off four hits. She kept the Mizzou offense in check and the Gator offense stormed back. This marked the first time this season the Gators won a game with Haeger starting without her being the winning pitcher.
The unlikely leader of the offense was catcher Aubree Munro. The junior went 2 for 3 with two runs batted in and a run scored. She paved the way for the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh with a sacrifice that advanced Taylor Schwarz, who would score off a sacrifice fly by Kelsey Stewart to give Florida the victory.
Other key contributors on offense were Nicole DeWitt and Kirsti Merritt, combining to go for 3 for-7 with three RBIs.
The Gators improve to 48-4, 17-4 in the SEC. Mizzou drops to 37-12, 13-9 in conference play.
First pitch for Game 2 is at 1 p.m. on Saturday.