Gator softball clinches series win over Mississippi State

No. 3 Florida Gator softball extended its win streak to 12 games after a 4-2 come from behind win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The win marked Florida’s 14th come from behind victory and secured the series win over MSU.

The Gators trailed 2-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Mississippi State pitcher Alison Owen hit Florida sophomore Bailey Castro for the second time in the game to start the inning, and then walked first baseman Taylor Schwarz and right fielder Kelsey Horton to load the bases.

After Florida freshman centerfielder Kirsti Merritt popped out, sophomore Jessica Damico blasted a grand slam over the left field wall to give the Orange and Blue a 4-2 advantage. Damico says the team’s ability to come from behind once again shows its resilience.

Florida head coach Tim Walton says a hit from Gator sophomore pitcher/first baseman Lauren Haeger in the previous inning allowed his team a better opportunity to put runs on the board in the sixth.

Haeger started the game in the circle for Florida, allowing just one earned run on five hits in six innings of work. The sophomore says some of the credit for her solid outing needs to go to her teammates.

After pitching the first no hitter of her college career on Friday night against the Bulldogs, Gator junior pitcher Hannah Rogers picked up the save on Saturday, racking up two strikeouts in the process.

The Gators will go for the sweep of the Bulldogs on Sunday. First pitch is set for noon.