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Gator Softball Two Wins Away From Championship Series

By Benjamin Henderson

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 19: Albert, the mascot for the Florida Gators, performs against the UCLA Bruins during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at St. Pete Times Forum on March 19, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. Florida won 73-65. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 19: Albert, the mascot for the Florida Gators, performs against the UCLA Bruins during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at St. Pete Times Forum on March 19, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. Florida won 73-65. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images) /
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They say once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget. So even though the Florida Gators softball team didn’t make the trek to Oklahoma City in 2020, because reasons, and in 2021, because they lost in the Super Regional round, the 2022 edition of the squad looked right at home as they cruised to a 7-1 win over Oregon State in the opening game of the Women’s College World Series.

Granted, Florida looked like a team making its first WCWS appearance ever through the first go around of Oregon State’s lineup. The Beavers scored in the first inning when Frankie Hammoude lined a single to score Xiao Gin.

It continued to look shaky for Florida in the 2nd inning when Oregon State had the bases loaded with no outs.

Florida opted to switch pitchers and brought on Natalie Lugo into the circle. After a line out, a strikeout, and a ground out three batters later, Lugo had forced the Beavers into a NOBLETIGER (No Outs, Bases-Loaded, Ending with Team Incapable of Getting Easy Run).

After surrendering a golden opportunity to put Florida in a deep hole, the Gators made the Beavers pay.

An Oregon State error in the bottom of the 2nd brought Regan Walsh and Cheyenne Lindsey home to put Florida up 2-1.

Doing the little things correctly would prove to be Florida’s strength in this game. The Gators scored two more runs in the 4th inning after a single from Lindsey was followed up by a bunt single from Katie Kistler.

A sacrifice bunt by Sam Roe to advance the runners led to a two run single by Kinsley Goelz to put Florida up 4-1.

By this point, even things that looked like they were going to be trouble for Florida turned into positive plays. In the top of the 5th Hannah Adams took away a potential Oregon State hit after salvaging a ball that bounced awkwardly over 1st base.

By the time Charla Echols hit a solo home-run in the bottom of the 5th the Gators were able to cruise home for the win.

With the WCWS using a new format this year designed to give teams more rest, the Gators won’t play again until Saturday when they play the winner of Oklahoma State vs Arizona. From there, the Gators are just two wins away from making it to the championship series.

Keep up with all things Gators here.

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