Opening night for Florida Softball went about as smoothly as Tim Walton and company could have asked for. The Gators struck early against UNF and made it an easy night at Pressly Stadium to begin the season 1-0.
Florida won 8-0 in a five-inning mercy rule that only lasted 82 minutes. The Gators didn't even need that many hits on the night as Florida only had four hits.
But the key for the Gators was also drawing six walks, two hit-by pitches, and an error. When Florida got a hit, they made UNF pay. Of Florida's four hits, three were home runs. Taylor Shumaker, Korbe Otis, and Reagan Walsh all sent a ball over the fence. Florida's other hit was a double courtesy of Kenleigh Cahalan.
The highlight of the night came from Walsh in the field, as she barged in for a web gem-worthy grab off a popped up bunt attempt.
Making web gems on a Thursday 😮💨#NCAASoftball #SCTop10 x 🎥 SECN+ / @GatorsSB
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) February 6, 2025
pic.twitter.com/MJZINEW6rW
Shumaker and Cahalan are new to the squad in 2025. Shumaker is a freshman from California who was named a 2024 MaxPreps All-American. Cahalan meanwhile is a transfer from Alabama who started all 59 games at shortstop for the Crimson tide.
It was a familiar face in the circle as sophomore Keagan Rothrock pitched four scoreless innings with just two hits and no walks. Ava Brown came in for the fifth inning and pitched a perfect frame with two strikeouts.
As is typically the case with the Gators, beating a team like UNF 8-0 doesn't tell us a ton about their high-end potential in 2025. Florida will get a look at 22nd-ranked Michigan this weekend as part of the USF-Rawlings Invitational in Tampa.
Florida also has a pair of games set next weekend against 8th-ranked Duke as part of the Bubly Invitational in Gainesville.
But for one night, all was well for the 3rd ranked Gators as they looked for another return trip to Oklahoma City in 2025.