At first glance of the box score for Florida Softball, the Gators did plenty of things right. Keagan Rothrock held FSU to just five hits and one walk, while Florida drew four walks to go along with four hits.
But softball can be a game of moments, and unfortunately for Florida, the key moments didn't go their way as Florida fell 4-0 to their in-state rival.
Florida Softball: Measuring Stick
The first inning started well for Florida. The Gators loaded the bases with just one out and were one swing away from breaking things open early. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat, and Florida was left with a zero on the scoreboard.
The bottom of the first had the key moment of the game as FSU singled to open the game, but the Gators had a chance at a double play to promptly erase it.
Instead, an error by Florida ensured both runners were safe, and one batter later, the Seminoles hit a three-run home run to go up 3-0.
That was all the offense FSU needed. Florida had base runners in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings but were unable to string anything together. A solo shot in the 6th made it 4-0, and Florida went quietly in the 7th.
The loss drops the Gators to 33-6 but still keeps Florida in line to host a Super Regional come May. Florida is ranked 2nd in the polls and, even with the loss, is 1st in RPI. The Gators are 14-6 against Quad 1 opponents.
Next up for Florida is a home series against Arkansas. The Razorbacks are ranked 12th in the polls and are 7th in RPI. Florida is 50-18 all-time against Arkansas, though they did drop two out of three the last time the teams met in 2023.