Hail Florida Hail
Fansided

Florida Gators News: Softball earns top ranking in SEC, Shelton loses

By Benjamin Henderson

Jun 4, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Florida Gators head coach Tim Walton looks on during the first inning of a NCAA Women's College World Series game against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Oklahoma State won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Florida Gators head coach Tim Walton looks on during the first inning of a NCAA Women's College World Series game against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Oklahoma State won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Coming off another appearance in Oklahoma City in 2022, the Florida Gators softball team is ratcheting up its preparations for the 2023 season and appears to be in position for another deep run.

Expected to be led by Skylar Wallace, Charla Echols, and Kendra Falby this season, Florida was ranked 5th in the country in the ESPN/USA Softball Preseason poll released yesterday. The Gators are the top-ranked squad in the SEC, which had nine teams garner top 25 honors to start the season.

The Florida Gators will kick off its softball season on February 10 against Boston University.

Florida Gators: Ben Shelton’s run in Australia ends

Former Florida Gators tennis star Ben Shelton made sure he made his first appearance in the Australian open count, winning his first four matches to make an appearance in the quarterfinals. He is the first alumni of the Gators to make it that far in any Grand Slam tournament and is the first American under the age of 21 to make it that far since Andy Roddick did it 20 years ago.

Shelton’s run came to an end last night as he lost in 4-sets to fellow American Tommy Paul 7-6 6-3 5-7 6-4.

Shelton’s run though brought the Gator Chomp down under as there were audible chants of “Go Gators” during the match. This won’t be the last we have heard of Ben Shelton.

Marcus Stokes update

Outside of Jaden Rashada, the only QB ranked inside the top 50 by 247 Sports that is not currently committed is former Florida Gators commit Marcus Stokes.

Stokes flipped from Penn State to Florida shortly after Rashada originally committed to Miami. Even after Rashada flipped to Florida himself, Stokes seemed committed to stay with Florida. A controversial video however that featured Stokes rapping along to a song in his car and using all of the words led Billy Napier to rescind the offer.

With Rashada now gone, there is still a pathway Napier could take Stokes back but there doesn’t seem to be any movement in that direction.

In fact, very few schools seem to be looking at Stokes as he posted on Twitter yesterday he had picked up an offer from Albany State.

Home/Florida Gators News