Gators Host UCF in a Sunshine State Showdown

The top ranked Florida softball team (16-0) take on the 17th ranked UCF Golden Knights (12-1) at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium at 6 p.m. today.  This will be the only meeting between these two teams in the regular season.

Florida beat UCF twice last season, by 10-6 and 7-0 scores.   All time, UF leads the series 15-3.

The Gators are one of the hottest teams in the country as the first month of the season is wrapping up. With the help of stellar pitching and a recent power surge, Florida has collected 26 of 28 first place votes in USA Today’s Top 25 Poll.

Senior outfielder Briana Little is pumped for the second half of the year to get underway.

“I’m just really excited for the rest of the season now. We got the first half out of the way and now we’re here getting into the better half. I just have high hopes for everyone.”

Little is coming off the greatest single game offensive performance in Gator softball history. In the first game of the doubleheader against Mercer on Sunday, Little was locked in. She knocked three home runs out of the park along with driving in nine runs, both Gator single game records. Freshman utility player Kayli Kvistad says the lineup’s success is a testament to how they practice.

“It’s just a lot of hard work and dedication in practice. In the game, you just hit how you practice.”

After tonight’s game, Florida travels to California to compete in the San Diego Classic (Feb. 27-Mar. 1) and the Judi Garman Classic (Mar. 5-Mar. 7). They will also be facing Long Beach State on March 4. Some of the teams the Gators will be facing are second ranked Oregon, third ranked Michigan and number 15 Arizona.

For full audio clips of the quotes above and more, click below:

Briana Little can’t wait for the second half of the season

Kayli Kvistad discusses the importance of practice

Tim Walton comments on team’s recent power surge

About Fernando Juncadella

Senior at the University of Florida. Working at ESPN Gainesville for four years, covering Florida football, softball, and baseball.

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