The Florida Gator softball team fell short this season in the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional against Georgia. The No. 1 seed overall entering the NCAA tournament as two-time defending national champions says goodbye to seniors Aubree Munro, Kelsey Stewart, Taylore Fuller, Kirsti Merritt, and Taylor Schwarz. This group of seniors had a combined record of 229-35. Florida Gator Head Softball Coach Tim Walton is saddened with the loss of these seniors but reflects upon them as a stepping stone for the Florida Gator softball program.
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Though, Walton is bringing in a new class of talented softball players including Katie Chronister, Jordan Roberts, Jaimie Hoover and Jacqui Switzer.
Katie Chronister, a left handed pitcher, is the reigning Florida Gatorade player of the year after leading the Gainesville High School Hurricanes to a championship year. Walton believes she is a unique athlete with many attributes to help the team.
Jordan Roberts comes in as a new catcher to Gainesville. According to Walton, Aubree Munro will stay as a fifth-year student coach to help with the development of catchers in the program. Walton expresses that Roberts has potential to have a high batting average.
Jaimie Hoover comes from Conyers, Georgia as a primary third baseman that can play just about anywhere. Walton suggests that she will surprise many Gator fans by her athleticism.
Jacqui Switzer also comes from Georgia and plays many different sports. She not only participated in softball at school, but basketball and track and field.
With these new Gators coming in,they bring a lot of potential to the Gators. The Gators return all four All-Americans, Aleisha Ocasio, Delanie Gourley, Kayli Kvistad, and Amada Lorenz as they look to reclaim the title of national champion next season. With the departing of some spectacular seniors, the hope is to develop these newcomers into equal or even better than those girls they will replace entering the new chapter of Florida softball.