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Florida Softball: Infield for Gators will drive their success in 2023

By Benjamin Henderson

Jun 5, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Florida Gators shortstop Skylar Wallace (17) hits the ball to center field for an out during the first inning of the NCAA Women's College World Series game against the UCLA Bruins at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. UCLA won 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Florida Gators shortstop Skylar Wallace (17) hits the ball to center field for an out during the first inning of the NCAA Women's College World Series game against the UCLA Bruins at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. UCLA won 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Coming off another appearance in Oklahoma City, Florida softball has high hopes for the 2023 season. With the departure of Hannah Adams, the Gators had an important hole in the infield that needed to be filled.

But thanks to a key pickup in the transfer portal, along with the return of other key contributors, the Florida Gators look to continue their success for 2023.

Florida Softball: Inside out

Skylar Wallace returns to lead a very experienced Florida Gators infield. After having to sit out in 2021 due to her transfer from Alabama, Wallace had a historic season in Gainesville in 2022. According to the Florida Gators website, her season of 71 hits, 79 runs, 53 RBIs, and 52 stolen bases is the only time ever a player in Division I history has hit those marks.

Paired with Wallace is 3rd baseman Charla Echols. Currently on the 2023 USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 “Watch List,” Echols hit .307 last season with 59 RBIs, the 19th best in the country in 2022.

Regan Walsh and Avery Goelz round out the returning infielders with any significant experience, with Golez having held down the 1st base position last year, making 58 stars. Both of them hit .268 last year, and while not an awful average, it’s not quite the pop needed to sustain innings when against top-tier competition.

Enter Pal Egan into the equation. Egan transferred in from Texas A&M Corpus Christie and will be the player that makes or break the infield for Florida softball. Egan was the Southland Conference Player of the Year and Hitter of the Year in 2022, hitting .426 with a .555 on-base percentage.

The concern for Egan will be the jump in competition from the Southland Conference to the SEC. Against Texas A&M last year she was 0-2 with a walk. She also went 1-3 with a walk during a win over Baylor. And against Texas Tech she was 1-2 with a walk, so there so evidence that she can have competitive at-bats against Power 5 competitors.

Whether she holds that over a full schedule will be the key for Florida softball can make the difference on whether a return trip to Oklahoma City is in the works.

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