Tim Walton will lean on bookend classes when the two-time defending champion Florida softball team starts its season Friday night in Tampa.
Gone are players such as Lauren Haeger, Bailey Castro and Katie Medina. But Walton has proven stars in this year’s senior class and potential stars in his freshman class as the Gators begin their season.
The two classes make up more than half the Florida roster heading into the 2016 season.
“We’re going to be different,” Walton said. “It’s going to take a team effort.”
For the Florida coach, the first weekend is the beginning of an evaluation process as much as anything. Championships aren’t built on opening day, but as the year unfolds.
“The first month is all about roster management,” he said. “It’s trial by error to get ready for SEC play.”
For example, Walton will have to figure out who to play at shortstop. How much does he play senior Kelsey Stewart — Florida’s every day second baseman the last three years — at short in place of the graduated Medina and how much does he go with freshman Alex Voss?
“I don't know how it’s going to go,” Walton said. “I know how we plan for it to go. If I have to write Kelsey Stewart’s name at shortstop every day I’m not going to lose a lot of sleep over it. But I have confidence in Alex. She’s the most athletic shortstop we have.”
And how will Florida’s pitching rotation go now that Haeger, the ace down the stretch last year, has departed.
Aleshia Ocasio returns as does Delanie Gourley. The two combined to go 28-5 during Florida’s 60-7 season a year ago.
But Walton has freshman Kelly Barnhill, a freshman sensation who will have to adapt to college softball in a hurry.
“It’s going to be great to play against other teams instead of each other,” Barnhill said.
Walton said Barnhill has “all the tools” and may throw harder than any pitcher in UF history.
“For us it’s all about managing expectations,” Walton said. “She’s different than what we’ve had before. I’ve learned a lot from overhyping freshmen. We have to keep her grounded. She has a ton of potential.”
Florida will also have to replace a ton of power. Haeger and Castro combined for 36 homers and 107 RBIs last year. Senior Taylore Fuller and sophomore Kayli Kvistad will be counted on to provide the power boost.
Walton knows he can count on Stewart, a senior who hit .435 last year and had 26 stolen bases.
“I’ve seen a different work ethic in her this year,” he said. “She wants to leave a legacy.”
Florida, the preseason No. 1 team, opens the season at 6:45 Friday night against Illinois State, then faces No. 2 Michigan on Saturday. Florida beat the Wolverines in the Women’s College World Series finals last year.
The Gators then face Virginia Tech and South Florida on Sunday before the home opener against Jacksonville on Wednesday.
Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.
Gone are players such as Lauren Haeger, Bailey Castro and Katie Medina. But Walton has proven stars in this year’s senior class and potential stars in his freshman class as the Gators begin their season.
The two classes make up more than half the Florida roster heading into the 2016 season.
“We’re going to be different,” Walton said. “It’s going to take a team effort.”
For the Florida coach, the first weekend is the beginning of an evaluation process as much as anything. Championships aren’t built on opening day, but as the year unfolds.
“The first month is all about roster management,” he said. “It’s trial by error to get ready for SEC play.”
For example, Walton will have to figure out who to play at shortstop. How much does he play senior Kelsey Stewart — Florida’s every day second baseman the last three years — at short in place of the graduated Medina and how much does he go with freshman Alex Voss?
“I don't know how it’s going to go,” Walton said. “I know how we plan for it to go. If I have to write Kelsey Stewart’s name at shortstop every day I’m not going to lose a lot of sleep over it. But I have confidence in Alex. She’s the most athletic shortstop we have.”
And how will Florida’s pitching rotation go now that Haeger, the ace down the stretch last year, has departed.
Aleshia Ocasio returns as does Delanie Gourley. The two combined to go 28-5 during Florida’s 60-7 season a year ago.
But Walton has freshman Kelly Barnhill, a freshman sensation who will have to adapt to college softball in a hurry.
“It’s going to be great to play against other teams instead of each other,” Barnhill said.
Walton said Barnhill has “all the tools” and may throw harder than any pitcher in UF history.
“For us it’s all about managing expectations,” Walton said. “She’s different than what we’ve had before. I’ve learned a lot from overhyping freshmen. We have to keep her grounded. She has a ton of potential.”
Florida will also have to replace a ton of power. Haeger and Castro combined for 36 homers and 107 RBIs last year. Senior Taylore Fuller and sophomore Kayli Kvistad will be counted on to provide the power boost.
Walton knows he can count on Stewart, a senior who hit .435 last year and had 26 stolen bases.
“I’ve seen a different work ethic in her this year,” he said. “She wants to leave a legacy.”
Florida, the preseason No. 1 team, opens the season at 6:45 Friday night against Illinois State, then faces No. 2 Michigan on Saturday. Florida beat the Wolverines in the Women’s College World Series finals last year.
The Gators then face Virginia Tech and South Florida on Sunday before the home opener against Jacksonville on Wednesday.
Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.