No. 4 Florida Softball Shut Out by Auburn in Game 2 Loss

Despite outhitting its opponent, the No. 4 Florida Gators (42-6, 15-4) came up short against the Auburn Tigers, 4-0, on the final Sunflower Saturday of the season at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

It was a bittersweet day as four senior Gators were honored before the game: Jocelyn Erickson, Kendall Grover, Kenleigh Cahalan and Giulia Desiderio.

Freshman pitcher Leah Stevens started in the circle, striking out the first three hitters she faced.

Stevens allowed just two hits and two runs in her four innings, both coming in the second. After issuing a leadoff walk to Haven Roebuck and a fielder’s choice to AnnaLea Adams, Ma’Nia Womack hit a two-run homer to left field.

Townsen Thomas and Grover got the home half of the second started with back-to-back hits, but the Gators were unable to capitalize as Auburn (24-20, 3-14) pitcher Ella Harrison retired three straight batters.

Florida also had two hits in the fourth inning — a Cahalan double and a Grover single — but went scoreless as Ava Brown struck out as a pinch hitter.

Olivia Miller relieved Stevens in the fifth, throwing a three-up, three-down inning before Auburn extended its lead in the sixth.

After allowing two singles and hitting a batter, catcher Ava Ratliff came up with the bases loaded. On a full count, Ratliff singled to right field, driving in two runs.

Saturday marked Harrison’s 11th complete game of the season and her third shutout.

Despite recording a hit in all but two innings, the Gators were shut out for the first time since falling to the Texas Longhorns at the Women’s College World Series last season.

The loss sets up a rubber match Sunday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.

Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Softball