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WCWS: Gator Softball Sees Season End

By Benjamin Henderson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 4: Head coach Tim Walton of the Florida Gators challenges a call in the sixth inning against the the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the NCAA Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex on June 4, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 2-0. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 4: Head coach Tim Walton of the Florida Gators challenges a call in the sixth inning against the the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the NCAA Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex on June 4, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 2-0. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Prior to the start of the season, a trip to the Women’s College World Series didn’t seem like it would be anything out of the ordinary. Towards the end of the season, a WCWS appearance was far from guaranteed.

A season ending loss to UCLA will sting,  especially given that it was an 8-0 mercy rule, but the Gators should take solace that they were able to claw their season back to finish in the top six of college softball.

After losing to Oklahoma State yesterday, Florida knew it had a tall task ahead of them. Even if the Gators got past the Bruins today, they faced the tall task of beating number one ranked Oklahoma twice in order to advance to the championship series.

Much like yesterday, Florida struggled to get any base runners on. Through four innings, only one Gator out of 13 made it to first base.

Florida kept UCLA off the scoreboard in the 1st inning before the Bruins strung together a walk and two singles to bring Kelli Godwin home to make it 1-0.

If the Gator softball team was going to get that much needed spark, they had that opportunity in the 3rd inning. With a runner on and two outs, UCLA sent a deep shot towards the fence.

Katie Kistler tracked the ball the entire way, timed her jump perfectly, and robbed UCLA of a home run to end the inning

Unfortunately for Florida, the spark was short lived. The Bruins came right back in the 4th inning with three runs to make it 4-0.

Florida would only manage two hits on the day and in the 6th inning UCLA strung together four more runs to end the game on an 8-0 run rule and end Florida’s stay at the WCWS.

Considering Florida started the season 5th in the preseason rankings, perhaps it’s appropriate they finished the season one win short of softball’s Final Four.

Considering Florida dropped to 14th in the seeding for the NCAA tournament, finishing one win short of softball’s Final Four is quite the accomplishment.

Florida, as always, expects to be back next season in contention to make a run in the WCWS.

Keep up with all things Gators here.

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