OKC Bound! Gator softball team advances to their 12th Women’s College World Series

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – Wow! In the preseason, the Gators were chosen to finish 8th in the SEC and on Sunday afternoon in front of a sold out crowd at KSP. The Gators are going back to the Women’s College World Series for the 12th time in program history after defeating Baylor in the Super Regionals, 5-3.

In the first inning, the Gators set the tone with Kendra Falby’s lead off walk and led to Florida loading up the bases for Jocelyn Erickson. The sophomore belts a pop fly to right field to bring home Otis for a early 1-0 lead. Reagan Walsh follows that up with a RBI single to left bringing home Skylar Wallace, 2-0 Gators.

Bottom of the second inning, the Gators continue to keep their momentum with Mia Williams firing a two-run shot over the center field wall and extend their lead to 4-0. The craziest thing about Williams home run is on the previous pitch, Williams successfully bunts, but they call it back and she responds with a homer.

In the bottom of the third inning, this is where things change. The Gators load up the bases again and after Baylor pitcher Aliyah Binford gives her fourth walk of the inning, the Gators take a 5-0 lead. However, because Katie Kistler left early at second base. Baylor head coach Glenn Moore challenged and successfully won the call. Kistler is called out and the Gators are left stranded.

Baylor fights back with Sydney Collazos putting on the board off an RBI single brings home Binford, Gators’ lead is cut to 3.

The (36-14) Bears continue to fight in their scrappy matter they had in the Lafayette Regional. Taylor Hott smashes a two-run shot to right and Florida’s lead falls to one run, 4-3.

However, as the Gators season has gone. Florida finds a way to add insurance to their lead. Florida loads them up again and Ariel Kowalewski flies one to deep center field and Erickson scores to make it 5-3 Gators.

In the top of the seventh inning, Baylor pours on the pressure against freshman Keagan Rothrock by putting two on and Rothrock takes on the two best hitters for the Bears.

Rothrock forces Baylor’s Shaylon Govan to pop out at left field and Binford pops it out to first base. Avery Goelz at first catches it and the ball game ends in favor of the Gators.

Keagan Rothrock earns her 30th win of the season with another of her many complete game performances. The SEC freshman of the year gave up three runs off eight hits, two walks and three strikeouts.

Williams went 1 for 3 and a two-run homer. The freshman also made a huge diving play at second in the sixth to close out another Bears rally. Walsh ends the day with a 2 for 2 performance and a RBI.

This is the 12th time under Tim Walton that the Gators are playing in Oklahoma City.

The first game is Thursday versus No. 5 Oklahoma State in a double elimination bracket. It is the second time the two teams clash. Last time they met is on February 19th and the Cowgirls won 3-0 in nonconference play. The game time is to be announced.

Amazing how this team who was chosen to finish in 8th in their own conference will be one of the eight teams vying for their third WCWS title.

You got to love it.

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