SEC Preview: No. 4 Gator Softball Travels to No.15 Alabama

The Florida Softball team (32-5, 7-2 SEC) returns to Southeastern Conference play a big weekend series against the Crimson Tide (24-9, 5-4 SEC). The three-game series begins Saturday at 1 p.m. at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The Tide holds the lead in the all-time series with a 36-33 record against Florida. Florida and Alabama last met during the 2017 Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament in Gainesville. The Gators won two of three games (0-3, 2-0 and 2-1) earning a spot in the Women’s College World Series.

Alabama

Head Coach Patrick Murphy said Florida will not beat itself.

https://twitter.com/AlabamaSB/status/982264324897914883

Last weekend, the Tide slugged its way to win a three-game series at No. 19 University of Kentucky. The Tide took the series 2-1 (9-0, 6-11 and 9-3).

In Sunday’s game, Senior Alexis Osario (8-3) struck out nine to earn her second complete-game win of the weekend in the circle. Osario will celebrate her senior day in game one against the Gators.

Big bats and a stellar return to the circle from Alexis Osorio gives Alabama the 9-0 win over Kentucky in game one of today’s doubleheader!#RollTide pic.twitter.com/98uW8NGIYY

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) March 31, 2018

Florida

The Gators will try to bounce back from Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at the University of Central Florida softball stadium. Despite the loss, Florida currently leads the nation in shutouts with 23 through 37 games played.

Senior Kayli Kvistad was named a Top 10 finalist for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award. The left-handed batter is just three walks away from being second overall in Florida history in career walks. Kvistad is currently ranked third with 157 career walks. She plans to pass Aja Paculba’s 160 career walks.

Gator Nation, let's do our part to help @kaylikvistad21‼️

➡️ https://t.co/ieKcKc3Iom pic.twitter.com/rl9JlZs5kY

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) April 6, 2018

On the opposite side of the plate, Aleshia Ocasio leads the nation in walks allowed per seven innings (0.44) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (18.60). The senior issued zero walks in the midweek matchup. In six innings, Ocasio allowed five hits and struck out another five.

Florida faces Alabama starting Saturday at 1 p.m. The teams play Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m

Category: College Softball, Gators Softball, SEC