Florida Softball pitcher Keagan Rothrock can hit too in 2025

Last year, Florida Softball pitcher Keagan Rothrock stayed exclusively in the circle, and she rested on the days that Ava Brown pitched.

But now in 2025 it appears that head coach Tim Walton is going to give Rothrock a go in the batters box and last night she collected her first career hit as a Gator.

Florida Softball: 2-0

Florida made light work of Illinois State in a 10-2 victory as part of the USF-Rawlings Invitational in Tampa. Ava Brown went four innings and gave up two runs before making way for Kara Hammock, a transfer from UNC Wilmington, to close the game out.

The Gators were far more workman-like compared to their opener and had 13 hits, only two of which went for extra bases. Mia Williams led the way with three hits, including a triple.

But it was Rothrock inserted as the starting DP that was probably most notable for Florida's lineup. It's not like she was inserted as a charity case, as she was a .488 hitter in high school, it's just last year the focus was in the circle.

In her first at-bat, she got hit by a pitch. In her second at bat, she collected her first career hit and drove in two runs in the process.

Florida moves to 2-0, with both wins coming by run rule. Today will be a step up as Florida has a doubleheader against Deleware at 12:30 and Michigan at 3 PM.

Michigan was expected to be the headliner opponent for Florida this weekend, as they are ranked 22nd in the preseason polls, but they were upset by Delaware on Friday.

Florida will close out their trip to Tampa on Sunday with two more games. The Gators will play Georgia Southern at 12 PM, then turn around and play USF at 2:30.