Three notable observations for Florida Softball after making light work of FGCU

Wednesday night played out as expected for Florida Softball as the Gators picked up their 12th run-rule win of the season after beating Florida Gulf Coast 8-0 in five innings.

The win moves Florida to 19-1 on the season as the squad gets one last tune-up weekend with the Florida Invitational before heading to Texas A&M next weekend to begin SEC play.

The following are three notable observations 20 games into the season.

Taylor Shumaker is going to smash the home run record

The freshman phenom had another home run last night to bring her season total to 11 and should get one or two more this weekend, given the level of competition at the Florida Invitational.

Her pace, in theory, will slow down once SEC play begins, but as it stands right now, she is on pace to eclipse 30 home runs for the year.

The single-season record for the Gators is the 22 Brittany Schutte hit in 2011. If Shumaker can get to at least 20 home runs this year, the career home run mark of 71 set by Lauren Haeger is also a real possibility.

Keagan Rothrock is getting more rest this year

Last year, the freshman All-American started 68% of Florida's games. So far, she has only been called upon to start 45% of Florida's games in 2025.

This rate will more than likely rise once SEC play begins, but Tim Walton has been better able to rotate in his pitching staff for Florida's midweek games to better give Rothrock a rest.

On Wednesday night it was freshman Katelynn Oxley getting her first home start as a Gator. Oxley did her job, going five innings with just one hit and one walk while striking out nine in the shutout.

Don't forget about Jocelyn Erickson

With all the headlines Shumaker is bound to grab as the season progresses or the fact that Kenleigh Cahalan was named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player of the Week, Jocelyn Erickson is quietly putting together a season that would otherwise be the headliner if Florida's lineup wasn't so deep.

Erickson is second on the team in OPS with 1.398. Of her 24 hits, 13 have gone for extra bases. She had another home run on Wednesday to bring her total to five on the year, second best on the squad.

She also has only had four base runners even attempt a steal on her, and she threw out two of those.