Florida Softball has started its 2025 campaign with a perfect 6-0 start. The Gators knocked off UNF to open their season before sweeping the USF-Rawlings Invite in Tampa over the weekend.
And while some familiar faces have returned for the Gators, a new face has quickly emerged as a potential problem for the rest of America.
Florida Softball: New Kid On The Block
Taylor Shumaker's debut week in college softball couldn't have gone any better. The freshman from California is hitting .500 with a video-game-like 2.035 OPS. Of her nine hits so far, five have been a home run, while two others were a double.
Add in four walks and three stolen bases, Shumaker has already scored 11 runs to go with 11 RBIs to open the 2025 season.
This monster start to her college career has earned her SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
SEC AWARDS DROPPED 👀 guess who?
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) February 10, 2025
Taylor Shumaker receives Co-SEC Freshman of the Week!
Details ➡️ https://t.co/C66DI6Z8wi#GoGators | @shumaker_taylor pic.twitter.com/w8nsmmZD7K
But even more impressive, her start has earned her a spot on Softball America's Stars of the Week, which only recognizes four players weekly.
Shumaker came to Gainesville with high hopes after hitting .620 in her senior year in high school, with 18 home runs in 25 games.
We obviously don't expect her to keep up this pace, especially as opponents begin to adjust, but it is a reminder that Tim Walton doesn't rebuild; he reloads.
This week, the Gators will host a pair of weekday games against Jacksonville and Stetson before gearing up for the Bubly Invite, also at home. Florida will play a pair of games against Duke and Boston College, as well as one game against Providence and Binghamton.
Florida is coming off an appearance in the Women's College World Series, their second appearance in three seasons and 12th appearance overall, where they made it to the national semifinals before falling to eventual champion Oklahoma.