Florida Softball: Gators power through for series win over Ole Miss
![Florida infielder Skylar Wallace (17) hits a single driving in a run in the bottom of the second to make it 3-1 Florida. The Florida women’s softball team hosted USF at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Florida won 7-3 by hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Flgai 042123 Usf Uf Softball](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F24fc444f7e9f1d348ba7070fe1f3a9edd8d184fc0e47654f7a610b6f5136f5e3.jpg "Florida infielder Skylar Wallace (17) hits a single driving in a run in the bottom of the second to make it 3-1 Florida. The Florida women’s softball team hosted USF at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Florida won 7-3 by hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Flgai 042123 Usf Uf Softball")
14th-ranked Florida softball needed a big series against Ole Miss to keep their hopes of a top 16 NCAA seed alive.
And while the Gators were pushed to the edge, they powered through for a much needed series win.
Florida Softball: Walk it off
In Game 1, the Gators pulled off an impressive comeback, winning 6-5 against the Rebels in walk-off fashion. The game marked the fifth walk-off of the season for the Gators. Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Gators managed to score four unanswered runs, which began with a Skylar Wallace and was capped off by Reagan Walshbhitting a three run, walk off home run to give Florida the win.
Walsh Walks It Off!! Gators Win!! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/W0A47MYWC7
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) April 29, 2023
In Game 2, Ole Miss managed to bounce back and claim a 7-2 victory against the Gators, tying the series up. The pitcher’s duel between Elizabeth Hightower (14-10) and Catelyn Riley (6-4) lasted for the first three innings. However, Ole Miss capitalized on a bases-clearing triple by Brooke Barnard, which ultimately led to their victory. The Gators still managed to produce 12 hits in the game, but just couldn’t cash in for runs.
Final #GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/tUMQBHUlM0
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) April 29, 2023
Game 3 saw the Florida Gators clinch the series with a mercy rule 12-2 win in just five innings. The Gators (34-16, 10-11 SEC) scored 12 runs off 13 hits. Ole Miss (28-23, 7-14 SEC) managed to score their two runs in the game in the top of the 1st inning. The Gators responded with a five-run inning, led by Pal Egan’s RBI single. They continued to add on in the 3rd inning, adding six more runs to their lead. Sophomore Lexie Delbrey (7-2) pitched a complete-game one-hitter, securing the Gators’ victory.
https://twitter.com/gatorssb/status/1652732415381733376?s=46&t=eFTIEOXmueOcguVg0YQXEA
During the series, Charla Echols registered her 10th home run of the year and is up to 56 RBIs. Kendra Falby extended her hitting streak, and Skylar Wallace continued to reach base safely, extending her streak to 13 games.
Following thes series against Ole Miss, the Florida Gators are now looking forward to their final regular-season home game against No. 4 Florida State on Wednesday.