For the past two seasons, the Florida Gator softball team has been at the top of the college softball world, winning back-to-back Women’s College World Series in 2014 and 2015. The Gators will open their 2016 season tomorrow at the USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament in Tampa ranked number one, with hopes that this season will be another championship season.
The tools for another championship run are definitely there. The 2016 team will include eight players that were part of the past two championship teams. Amongst those returning players is senior Kelsey Stewart, the 2015 SEC Player of the Year. Head softball coach Tim Walton says Stewart wants to leave a legacy as one of the best players to play softball for the University of Florida.
Other returning players include seniors Taylore Fuller, who is third in NCAA history with eight grand slams, Kirsti Merritt, who was named to the 2015 All-SEC First Team, Aubree Munro, who is tied for second in program history in fielding percentage, and Taylor Schwarz, who hit two home runs against Georgia in the 2013 SEC Tournament.
Sophomore Kayli Kvistad is also back after having the highest RBI total and slugging percentage of her freshman class. Walton says Kvistad has a ferocious swing that is needed in the lineup.
The Gators will have to work hard to replace Lauren Haeger, who is now with the Dallas Charge. Haeger was the 2015 national player of the year and the Women’s College World Series most valuable player.
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However, the Gators have a solid freshman class coming in, which includes Kelly Barnhill, a highly-rated prospect who was the 2015 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year, Amanda Lorenz, who was the number one recruit in FloSoftball’s Class of 2015, and Lily Mann, a 2015 USA Today High School All-American.
Tomorrow’s game will give fans their first glimpse of the softball team since the championship win last season. The Gators will open the season tomorrow at 6:45 p.m. versus Illinois State.