Florida Gator Softball Team finishing their regular season against Mizzou

The number one ranked Florida softball team travels to 11th ranked Missouri (37-11, 13-8 SEC) to take on the Tigers for the last series of the regular season. Florida (47-4, 16-4 SEC) is coming off a three game sweep against Texas A&M on Senior Weekend. According to Gator coach Tim Walton the end of the year always poses unique challenges.

“Were winding down to the end of the road with finals and just all the end of the year stuff you have to go through. From graduations, family, Senior Weekends and a lot of things that can sometimes be a little distracting.”

The Gators are looking to clinch their fifth SEC title in program history.  The Orange and Blue have won 11 consecutive SEC games since April 3rd and are on a 15 game overall win streak.

Mizzou is coming off a 10-9 comeback over Northern Iowa.  Coach Walton recognizes the talent that the Tigers have on both offense and defense.

“Defensively there’s some really good athletes on the Missouri team. I don’t know if it’s the fact that they have had to play so many games on the road. They maybe at times have struggled defensively but a very good athletic team.”

The Gators lead the all time series between Missouri 5-3, however the teams have never met in Columbia. According to Walton playing at Mizzou for the first time also poses a bigger challenge.

“It’ll be interesting, we’ve never played there before. It’s another added potential distraction. They play very well; it’s going to be their Senior Weekend, I mean it’s going to be a challenge. They are a really really good softball team and were just going to have to go out there and take care of some business.”

Game times are set for 7:30 PM Friday, 1PM Saturday and 1PM on Sunday.

For full audio for the above quotes see below:

Walton on the end of the year obstacles

Walton on Missouri’s defense

Walton on playing at Mizzou for the first time