Top-Ranked Gator Softball Uses Offensive Surge to Down Central Connecticut State

The top-ranked Gator softball team (29-2, 4-2 SEC) took advantage of strong pitching and two towering home runs to beat the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils 8-2 on Tuesday.

Gator coach Tim Walton turned to four different pitchers to hold the Blue Devils (9-5, 0-0 NEC) to two runs on four hits. Senior Hannah Rogers opened the game with 4.1 innings of no-hit ball with one walk and one strikeout. Freshman Delanie Gourley would close out the inning with two strikeouts. Juniors Lauren Haeger and Alyssa Bache would each pitch one inning with one strikeout each to close out the game.

Walton says that it is an advantage to be able to depend on the entire staff at a moment’s notice.

“We’re just trying to keep them sharp,” Walton said. “Keep them in their competitive flow. Delanie’s trying to work on a couple little things. Hannah, same thing. Lauren pitched on Friday, but she really hasn’t had that many innings as of late. We’re going to need everybody. We’re going to need them all. Sometimes you need four [pitchers] in a game, sometimes you need two in a weekend; sometimes you need four in a weekend. We’ve got to keep everybody ready to go.”

The offensive spark started with a Kelsey Stewart RBI triple in the third inning. The hit would mark the 31st consecutive time the sophomore has reached base on the season.

The Gators would bat around the lineup in the fourth inning. The inning included a three run home run by junior Taylore Fuller that cleared the scoreboard in centerfield. The Orange and Blue would tack on two more runs in the inning when Stephanie Tofft reached on an errant throw that pulled the CCSU first baseman off the bag, allowing Justine McLean and Kelsey Stewart to come home.

Junior Bailey Castro would add her own offensive spark in the fifth inning, blasting a skyscraper homerun that bounced off the top of the centerfield scoreboard. The Gators closed the game on a single by senior Stephanie Tofft after a lead-off triple by freshman Chelsea Herndon.

The Gators now turn their attention to the weekend as they welcome the ninth ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium for their third SEC series on the season. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m.

To hear more comments from head coach Tim Walton and players Kelsey Stewart and Taylore Fuller following Tuesday’s game click on the links below:

Walton talks about the team’s performance against CCSU

Walton on scoring eight runs off CCSU pitcher Laura Messina

Walton talks about Kelsey Stewart’s contribution

Walton talks about using 4 pitchers in the game (Rogers, Gourley, Haeger, Bache)

Fuller talks about her offensive production in recent games

Fuller talks about having the power to go deep with each at bat

Stewart talks about her offensive success this season

About Jorge Pérez

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Moore

Florida Defensive Back Devin Moore Talks Gators

With the increasing popularity of the transfer portal and hot new recruits, college football is …