No. 6 Florida Softball Again Downs USF

The South Florida Bulls saw red Wednesday night as pitcher Katelynn Oxley had a dominant start in leading the No. 6 Florida Gators to a 4-1 win at Katie Seashole Pressley Stadium.

This isn’t the first time the state rivals have faced off this season, seeing each other back in February at the USF-Rawlings Invitational when the Gators won 6-1 also behind Oxley (4-1), who only gave up two hits and one run in her eighth start and second complete game of the season Wednesday. 

“Definitely working on my screw and my curve this week was very helpful,” Oxley said. 
”I think to get me through the seven innings … was really leaning into my teammates and understanding. Get the pop flys, get the ground balls, get Tay Shu the ball, get someone the ball because they can make amazing plays. I think that’s what helped me to push through seven.”

Kendall Grover brought in the first two runs of the night with a first-inning single that just missed the glove of USF third baseman Dania Brooks, daughter of six-time All-Pro NFL linebacker Derrick Brooks. 

USF starter Anne Long, the reigning American Conference Pitcher of the Week, loaded the bases in the third after Taylor Shumaker hit a single, Kenleigh Cahalan reached on a fielder’s choice and Grover walked. Shumaker crossed home plate when Ava Brown drew a walk. However, the Gators left the bases loaded when Cassidy McLellan struck out swinging.

Jamia Nelson put the Bulls (29-13) on the board in the fourth with a two-out single to left which landed just a few feet in front of Townsen Thomas. After quickly getting the ball, Thomas and Grover were able to connect to tag out South Florida’s runner to end the inning.

The Gators (37-5) had a couple of defensive adjustments Wednesday night, with Giulia Desiderio getting her first start at catcher and the outfielders getting shuffled around.

“Guilia earned that,” UF coach Tim Walton said. “She’s had good weeks, good practices, to be able to step up for us last weekend on Sunday against Mississippi State and deliver in a big moment. I told the other players that didn’t start today. Hey, she earned that and I’m going to really celebrate that.’” 

Brown once again walked with the bases loaded in the fifth, this time against Carley Ernst who relieved Long in the fourth, to extend the Gators’ lead to 4-1. That was Brown’s 27th walk of the season, which is tied for third on the team despite her time out with injury. This was the only RBI of the inning as the Gators left the bases loaded following a McLellan strikeout and an Ella Wesoloski foul out.

Oxley finished her most dominant appearance with three straight three-up, three-down innings to seal the Gators’ 31st win in the last 32 games against the Bulls.

Florida (11-4 SEC) heads north for a weekend series against No. 24 South Carolina (23-17, 3-9), with first pitch of the series scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday. 

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