Where’s Ava Brown? How Injury Could Threaten Florida Softball Streak

Florida softball may have to accomplish a tough feat for the remainder of this weekend if it hopes to remain undefeated.

Ava Brown, a junior pitcher and infielder, was carted off the field in a game against Cal late Thursday night. 

The injury occurred after Brown stretched out to make a play at first base. But, instead of stealing an out, she stole her chance to play in the rest game, grimacing in pain after the play. 

No specifics regarding the injury have been released. 

Florida (21-0) was still able to clinch wins against Cal and East Texas A&M despite its captain’s absence. Both victories were shut-outs that ended in five innings, which crucially saved some of Florida’s arms.

But the bigger question her team faces is if it will be able to keep producing the same results for the rest of the weekend at the Judi Garman Classic, even if it’s without Brown. 

Last year, she pitched 99 innings, the second most on the team. She also hoisted a 2.90 ERA with 56 strikeouts. She’s valuable at the plate as well, finishing second in the NCAA in walks per game a year ago.

More recently, Brown shined in Florida’s game against Lindenwood last weekend, throwing her second complete-game shutout. She allowed no walks and only two hits, and expected to continue that momentum in California. Florida will be worse off for her not doing so.

In games where Brown doesn’t start in the circle, Florida’s ace, Keagan Rothrock, will usually trot out. That was the case in the first two games of this weekend’s event and will most likely continue. To that point, Brown was expected to start Friday’s game against ranked opponent No. 8/9 UCLA, which is Florida’s first ranked foe this year. 

Saturday’s game against Oregon State would’ve also been a chance for Brown to show out. A 2024 single-hitter against the Beavers was, in fact, her first career win. But guess who else pitched that day? Rothrock. 

The rest of the invitational will definitely be a high-stakes test for the Gators, especially with Brown’s absence.

Category: Gators Softball, Softball