The Florida softball team returned to the World Series stage Saturday night and faced college softball’s best offense in the winner’s bracket, Texas.
UF freshman right-handed pitcher Keagan Rothrock had a strong performance in Thursday’s shutout win against Oklahoma, but the odds were not in her favor on Saturday as the Texas offense shined in the contest.
The No. 1-seeded Texas Longhorns (54-8) defeated the No. 4-seeded Florida Gators (52-14) 10-0 in Game 2 of the WCWS at Devon Park.
Florida got off to a rough start on defense as the Longhorns recorded five runs and four hits in the bottom of the first inning. Rothrock allowed two runs on three hits and a one-pitch hit before freshman pitcher Ava Brown came on in relief with one out.
The first batter Brown faced hit a three-run home run over the center field wall to extend the Longhorns’ lead to 5-0. The Gators escaped the inning on consecutive ground balls.
Texas junior pitcher Mac Morgan maintained control in the circle and held UF to a walk and no hit through four innings.
In the bottom of the third inning, Brown walked every other batter to load the bases. However, he stayed calm and recorded a strikeout to end the frame.
The Longhorns offense continued to threaten late in the quarter. Texas junior infielder Mia Scott recorded a solo home run and freshman outfielder Katie Stewart extended the lead to 9-0 with a three-run homer.
With two outs, UF graduate student Mackenzie Wooten replaced Brown and allowed a walk and an RBI single. Freshman pitcher Olivia Miller came on as a substitute and ended the inning with a groundout.
The Gators tried to reduce the deficit to avoid a run-rule victory in the top of the fifth inning. Senior right fielder Katie Kistler led off with Florida’s first hit of the game with a single to right field.
However, the Longhorn defense continued to dominate and recorded a double play and a ground ball to keep Florida scoreless.
Next up, the Florida Gators will face the Alabama Crimson Tide in an elimination round on Sunday at 3 pm. If the Gators win, they will advance to Game 3 on Monday at 7 pm against Oklahoma.
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Contact Hailey Hurst at hhurst@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @haileyjhurst.
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Hailey Hurst
Hailey Hurst is a sophomore journalism major with a concentration in sports media and a sports reporter for The Alligator. In her free time she likes to go to the beach and cheer on Miami sports teams.
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