The Florida Gator softball team is back in Oklahoma City in the College World Series, trying to repeat as national champions. Florida opens the World Series Thursday against Tennessee. The Gators are no strangers to playing softball this late in the season under head coach Tim Walton as this is the third consecutive year they have reached the World Series, the seventh time in the last eight seasons. Walton is very grateful of how big the sport of college softball has grown since his first World Series. “Just really appreciate all you guys coming out and being here and showing support for our student-athletes. My first trip here was in 2008, and to see this much exposure, this much coverage, the expansion of the facility and ESPN’s coverage and all they they do for our sport, just really thank you for that platform for our young ladies, and it’s a great opportunity.” The Gators enter the World Series with the National Collegiate Softball Player of the Year on their roster. Pitcher Lauren Haeger was honored with the award on Tuesday and became the first Florida player ever to win, and just the second SEC player. Walton knows there are still games to be played this season, but he didn’t hesitate to commemorate Haeger’s memorable season. “She’s a special player. She’s really come a long ways. To see her
growth not only as a person but as a player is tremendous. She’s always been a winner. She’s won at every level she’s played at and for her to be able to make the sacrifices that she needs to be a better player is nice, fun thing to really live. I lived that.” As for the team in the other dugout, the Tennessee Volunteers enter the game with the mental edge over the Florida Gators. The Vols eliminated the Gators from the SEC Tournament in the beginning of May with the help of pitcher Erin Gabriel. Gabriel pitched six innings, only allowing one run and striking out 10. She actually handed Lauren Haeger her first loss of the season, snapping a 24-game win streak for the Player of the Year. Walton thinks his team’s lack of preparation before that game contributed to their struggles. “You’ve got a couple of days to prepare for them, and you turn around, and I think we had less than 24-hour preparation for Tennessee. I told our team I don’t think we prepared as well as we should have…I’m not saying we’re going to win tomorrow, but I know we’ve prepared a little bit better for Tennessee…” Florida and Tennessee will officially get the Women’s College World Series underway at noon Thursday. This year marks the first time since 2006 that the top eight seeds entering the NCAA Tournament reached the World Series.