Florida Softball: Five moments that led to Gators lackluster season

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 /

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The Florida women’s softball team hosted FSU at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Seminoles defeated the Gators 8-7. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun] /

Florida Softball Letdowns: Neighbors to the West can’t be finished off

During both of their meetings against FSU, the Florida Gators had leads midway through the game. During the first game, Florida took a 3-2 into the bottom of the fourth inning before a three-run frame put FSU up 5-3, which wound up being the final score.

The second time around was probably the bigger missed opportunity. After Skylar Wallace it a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Gators took a 4-3 lead and just needed nine outs to get the win.

But in a reoccurring theme this season, those nine outs didn’t come quickly enough as FSU immediately responded with a four-run top of the fifth to go up 7-4.

What made this game even worse was Sarah Longley hit a two-run home run to make it 7-6, only for Florida to leak another run after a walk, stolen base, wild pitch, then sac fly to make it 8-6. When Wallace hit another home run, it wasn’t enough.

The Gators even had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t get the game-winning hit, and Florida lost 8-7.

https://twitter.com/FSU_Softball/status/1653913919134797825?s=20

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