Florida Softball Clinches Series In Dominant Fashion

Going into SEC softball play without Ava Brown, the No. 5 Gators knew they needed someone to step up in her absence.

Jocelyn Erickson wasted no time by proving why she was voted one of the captains of this team, batting .543 with eight home runs in the last 10 games. Erickson Jocelyn Erickson  now hit the sixth-most home runs in program history with 45.

Florida softball clinched a second straight SEC series with a 9-0 win against Kentucky in five innings Saturday at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

It was Katelynn Oxley’s day as the starter and she made sure not to disappoint in the circle for the Gators. The sophomore pitched her first SEC complete game shutout, allowing two hits and striking out seven batters.

Kendall Grover got Florida (28-1, 5-0 SEC) started early with an RBI double that scored Kenleigh Cahalan, giving the Gators a 1-0 lead. Redshirt freshman Townsen Thomas kept her hot streak going, scoring off a throwing error while attempting to steal third base in the second inning.

Erickson sent a ball flying to left field in the third, a two-run homer that extended Florida’s lead to four. That was her 15th home run of the season, tying her career high in a single season.

The Gators didn’t slow down in the fourth, putting Kentucky (19-8, 1-4) against the ropes with the bases loaded. Grover was hit by a pitch that scored a run before Madison Walker and Townsen Thomas drove in a run each on fielder’s choices, making it 8-0. 

Cassidy McLellan, who homered in Friday’s victory, kept it going Saturday. She rubbed salt on the Wildcats’ wounds with a solo home run that made it 9-0.

Florida looks for its second straight SEC series sweep Sunday, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. (SEC Network+).

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Softball