In what truly felt like, and honestly turned into, a rivalry meeting, the Florida Gators and the Texas Tech Red Raiders battled out a three-game series to determine which team would advance to the Women's College World Series and which would have its season cut short.
With a win a piece, the two teams entered the must-win Game 3, and it certainly met the entertainment expectations, but it wasn't exactly a great day for the Gators.
Texas Tech secured the 16-7 run-rule victory over Florida, and between hit-by-pitch batters, Gators head coach Tim Walton getting thrown out of the game, and players refusing to shake hands, it was far from the most mature showing for either program.
After Walton's explosion in the fifth inning, as the game hung in the balance of Florida being run-ruled, the officials ejected him, and Gator fans took to social media to express their displeasure with the head coach.
Florida coach Tim Walton has been ejected from the game.
— Andres Rodriguez (@AndresR030105) May 24, 2026
Wow. pic.twitter.com/YCAQBTGLjt
Things really became heated when Texas Tech second baseman Mia Williams, who transferred from none other than Florida to play for the Red Raiders, was hit by yet another pitch (the fifth of the weekend).
After Williams was hit, one of her Tech teammates yelled an explicit message in the direction of the Gators' dugout, earning her own warning.
We’ve got major trouble brewing in Gainesville right away.
— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) May 24, 2026
Mia Williams gets hit on the knee, Jasmyn Burns yells “FUCK YOU” at Florida pitcher Keagan Rothrock, and tempers flare in Game 3 of the Super Regional: pic.twitter.com/WX4mrL2DzM
However, in a "players will be players" argument, nothing warranted Walton's over-the-top reaction that led to his ejection.
I’m sorry but the treatment of Mia Williams is just not a good look for Tim Walton or the Gators. Get over it. Show some class.
— ncaasoftballstuff (@ncaasoftballstf) May 24, 2026
Not to mention, Walton was doing absolutely nothing to calm his own team down as the Gators seemed to relish in the fact that Williams, their former teammate, wasn't getting any real opportunities in her at-bats.
What an embarrassment for Tim Walton https://t.co/RUGvdTGFgx
— T (@tdgator9) May 24, 2026
Fans couldn't hide their displeasure, disappointment, and downright embarrassment at their head coach's reaction to the game, a far from ideal example of what you would want young athletes to follow.
Have truly lost respect for Tim Walton and the Florida Gator softball team! To hit a player 5 times because they transferred for a better situation is crazy! Then at the end of the game not to shake hands is poor sportsmanship ! Lil girls are watching as coaches we must lead!
— Perry Lyons (@CCoachlyons7) May 24, 2026
Now, this isn't to say that Florida fans were ready to see Walton out the door; he led the Gators to a 52-12 overall record, including a 17-7 record against SEC opponents after all. He helped the team earn a spot as a Super Regional Host and had a great overall season.
However, his actions during the Gators' final game of the year were not what people wanted to see out of their head coach, understandably.
You gotta shake their hands man.
— Jen Schroeder (@jen_schro) May 24, 2026
At the end of the game, it all came to a boiling point as Florida players refused to shake hands with or congratulate the Red Raiders, seemingly following in their coach's volatile footsteps.
Texas Tech advanced to the Women's College World Series, while the Gators' season came to an end, and at the end of the day, it was Walton's actions that left a sour taste in the mouths of Florida fans across the board, even more so than the nine-run loss.
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