Gators Softball Returns Home To Host Florida Tournament

No. 4 Florida softball has been a dominant force to start the season, remaining undefeated through 14 games. Now, the Gators will host their second tournament looking to maintain the flawless record. 

Florida has a long weekend ahead after beating North Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday, as it plays five games across Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The Gators host Longwood (1-7), Middle Tennessee (2-7) and Lindenwood (5-3), with their first game Friday at 3:30 p.m. against Longwood. 

With a weekend full of competition, the Gators pitchers need to take advantage of the poor hitting of their opponents. Junior pitcher Keagan Rothrock earned her sixth win in the circle Tuesday, pitching her third complete game this season. Rothrock averages a .97 WHIP and a 2.58 ERA. In addition to Rothrock, the Gators have a stacked bullpen with junior Ava Brown, who is 3-0 and averages a .82 WHIP and 0.76 ERA. 

With those two on the mound throughout the weekend, the opponents have their work cut out for them. Lindenwood leads the pack of foes with .342 batting average, followed by Middle Tennessee (.242) and Longwood (.175). 

Although the performance of Florida’s pitchers will help determine the game, it’s up to the Gators batters to put on a show. Florida is hitting .391 as a team and has proven to be a threat against weaker starters. Longwood pitchers have a 4.67 ERA, which is slightly higher than Middle Tennessee (4.28) and Lindenwood (4.14). The Gators’ leading batter is sophomore Gabi Comia, who is hitting .475 and hasn’t struck out this season. 

“I’ve been really happy with the way Gabi Comia has played,” coach Tim Walton said after the Gators’ win against Jacksonville. “I just call her a spark in the bottom of the lineup. She’s just really done a good job of turning things over and getting it back to the top.”

After this weekend, Florida gets a short break before heading to California for the Judi Garman Classic beginning next Thursday.

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Softball