Ocala looks like baseball won game 2 8-1. Would be nice to get 2 out of 3 against a ranked team on the road.
UF Softball & Baseball
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UF baseball evened their series with Miami, beating them 8-1 . Brandon Sproat was great in the start, going 6.1 innings, giving up no runs on 4 hits, with 2 walks and 8K's. Nick Ficarrotta threw the rest of the game, allowing 1 unearned run on 2 hits and 5 K's. Colby Halter led off the game with a double, took 3rd on a wild pitch and came home on a bad throw from the catcher. In the 3rd inning, with 2 outs, Halter struck out swinging, but the catcher dropped the ball and Halter beat the throw. Jud Fabian followed with a HR. The Gators put it away in the top of the 9th on an RBI single from BT Riopelle and a squeeze bunt by Josh Rivera, plus a 3-run HR from Kendrick Calilao. The rubber game is at noon Sunday.
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So far so good as UF leads scUM heading into the 7th inning by a score of 7-1.
UF softball destroyed Coastal Carolina Sunday 17-1 in 5 innings. Elizabeth Hightower picked up her 5th win by going 4 innings and giving up only 2 hits, 3 walks, 2 wild pitches and 5 K's. Marissa Mesiemore threw the 5th. The Gators offense scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 1st, single runs in the 2nd and 3rd and then 9 runs in the bottom of the 4th. Skylar Wallace went 2-4 with 4 RBI including an inside the park HR, Avery Goelz went 3-4 with 3 RBI, Charla Echols went 2-2, Cheyenne Lindsey went 2-3, with 6 other ladies getting a hit. They finish the weekend abround 2:15 with a game against Georgia State.
Gator baseball won the series at Miami by beating the Canes 11-3. Tim Manning pitched a solid 4.1 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits, 2 walks and 5 K's. Blake Purnell got the win by throwing 3.2 innings, giving up only 2 hits with no walks and 4 K's. Phillip Abner has a tough 9th, being charged with 2 runs on 2 hits, 2 walks and a wild pitch, getting nobody out. Ryan Slater got the last 3 outs. Miami pitchers gave up 9 hits and 14 walks. Gator bats were led by Wyatt Langford's 3 hits and 2 RBI, Colby Halter's 2 hits, Jud Fabian's 4 runs scored, Josh Rivera's 2 RBI and a HR from Kendrick Calilao.
Gator softball finished the pre-conference part of their schedule 21-1 with a 5 inning 8-0 run rule win over Georgia State. Lexie Delbrey picked up her 7th win with a 1 hitter on 7 K's, although she did walk 3, hit 2 and had a wild pitch. The Gator offense had 11 hits, led by Hannah Adams 2-2 with an RBI, Avery Goelz 2-3 with an RBI and Sam Roe's hit and 2 RBI, including the game ender. The Gators are off until Saturday, when they host Mississippi State for a Sat., Sun., Mon. series, with all games on the SEC Network. Hopefully we will have Hightower & Lugo at full strength to start the SEC campaign.
Just some softball stats as the team gets ready to start play in the brutal SEC. The Gators' team batting average is .372, led by Kendra Falby at .514, Skylar Wallace at .484, Hannah Adams at .471, Katie Kistler at .421, Avery Goelz at .356, Cheyenne Lindsey at .353, Charla Echols at .323 and Reagan Walsh at .303. They have scored 173 runs to their opponents 34, have 215 hits, 17 HR and 151 RBI, plus 80 walks and only 57 strikeouts. Echols leads them in RBI with 28, Wallace has 24 and Walsh 23. On the mound, their team ERA is 1.45, giving up 72 hits in 140 innings, issuing 70 walks, 13 hit batters and 16 wild pitches, holding opponents to a .148 batting average. Lexie Delbrey leads in innings pitched at 48, with an ERA of 1.90 and a 7-1 record. Natalie Lugo has thrown 32 innings, with a team leading 0.43 ERA and a 5-0 record. Elizabeth Hightower has thrown 28.1 innings, with a 0.99 ERA and a 5-0 record.
Tyler Nesbitt pitching for the Gators tonight vs. JU. Good to have the kid healthy. Hope he does well.
floridagators.com
Tyler Nesbitt - Baseball - Florida Gators
Tyler Nesbitt (10) RHP - 2022 SEC Academic Honor Roll 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll 2020 Freshman All-American (Collegiate Baseball) 2022 (Redshirt Freshman*): Made
floridagators.com
#11 UF baseball goes to 11-3 with a 1-0 pitching duel win over the Jacksonville Dolphins. Tyler Nesbitt threw the first 2 innings, giving up only 1 hit, 1 walk with 3 K's. Ryan Slater, who got the win, pitched 5 innings, giving up 1 hit with 2 K's. Nick Ficarrotta got the save, pitching the final 2 innings, giving up a hit and 2 walks, with 2 K's. The Gators got 9 hits and stranded 7 base runners. Kendrick Calilao went 2-3 with the lone RBI in the bottom of the 6th. Kris Armstrong went 3-3 in finally coming out of his slump. Rematch tomorrow at 6 pm, weather permitting.
The Florida/JU baseball game Wednesday night was rained out. It's possible they re-schedule, but I doubt it. They host Seton Hall for 3 games this weekend before playing #8 FSU next Tuesday and then opening their SEC schedule next weekend at Alabama. Seton Hall comes in 0-10, having been shut out 4 times with 108 K's and scoring only 16 runs total. Their team batting average is .215 and their team ERA is 9.00.
Yep - They are a legit team. Hunter Barco is the only pitcher to beat 'em so far.
They brought back almost their entire team from last years NCAA team. They are going to be a problem for whatever region they land.
Friday night's baseball game vs. Seton Hall has been postponed. They will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 pm, with the second game 45 minutes after the first game finishes. Both games are on SEC+. Sunday's game is at noon, also on SEC+
Gator softball (22-1, 1-0) opened SEC play today by beating Mississippi State 8-4. AA Elizabeth Hightower was shaky in the circle, pitching 4 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, 3 walks and throwing 2 wild pitches, one of which gave the Bulldogs their first run. UF trailed 3-0 going to the bottom of the 4th when Cheyenne Lindsay led off with a double, Avery Goelz singled, Lindsay scored on a wild pitch and Kendra Falby got a 2-out RBI single to cut the lead to 3-2. Lexie Delbrey (8-1) pitched solid 5th and 6th innings and in the bottom of the 5th the Gators exploded for 6 runs to take the lead. Skylar Wallace led off with a single, Charla Echols doubled, Lindsay singled, Sam Roe tripled (should have been ruled an error), Katie Kistler doubled, Hannah Adams singled and Wallace ended the scoring with a 2 RBI single. Delbrey was relived by Marissa Mesiemore in the top of the 7th with the bases loaded and no outs. Mesiemore walked in a run before getting to pop out and double play to end the game. The Gators outhit the Bulldogs 14-7, but committed 2 errors and had a couple other misplays that were uncharacteristic of UF softball. The teams play again on Sunday at 4 pm on the SEC Network.
Didnt watch the games today, but it looks like the pitching was struggling in the 7-9th......giving up at least 10 runs in those 2 games against an incredibly bad Seton Hall(winless so far).
Always glad to take a series, but need to tighten up before SEC play.
Always glad to take a series, but need to tighten up before SEC play.
UF baseball went to 13-3 by taking a doubleheader over 0-12 Seton Hall Saturday. In Game 1, Hunter Barco threw a very solid 6.1 innings, giving up only 2 hits, hitting 1 and striking out 6. When he left the game, the Gators were up 14-0. Relievers Karl Hartman (1.1 innings, 4 runs, 4 hits and 2 walks) and Anthony Ursitti (1.1 innings, 1 hit, a hit batter and 3 walks) weren't very sharp. The Gators got 15 hits and 7 walks, with only 3 K's and 5 LOB. They were led by Wyatt Langford (3-4, HR, #B and 5 RBI), Jud Fabian (2-3, HR and 3 RBI), Sterlin Thompson (2-3, #B, 2 RBI), Kendrick Calilao (2-5, 2 RBI), and B.T. Riopelle (2-3).
In Game 2, Brandon Sproat gave up 3 hits and 2 runs in the 1st inning, and 2 more hits and a run in the 3rd, aided by a Gator error. But Sproat went 6 innings, giving up 6 total hits with 5 K's and a walk. When he left the game, the Gators were up 9-3. Blake Purnell threw 2 innings, giving up only 2 hits, but was replaced for the 9th by Carson Finnvold, who came into the game with an 11-3 lead. He gave up 6 runs, 5 earned, on 2 BB's and 3 hits (including a grand slam), only getting 1 out. Brandon Neely got the last 2 outs for the save. The offense only got 8 hits to Seton Hall's 11, but had 10 walks with 11 K's. Jud Fabian had a HR and 3 RBI, Derec Fabian went 1-3 with 2 RBI, and Colby Halter went 2-4.
The final game of the series is at Noon Sunday on SEC+. Nick Pogue is scheduled to get his first start since 2020, missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery.
In Game 2, Brandon Sproat gave up 3 hits and 2 runs in the 1st inning, and 2 more hits and a run in the 3rd, aided by a Gator error. But Sproat went 6 innings, giving up 6 total hits with 5 K's and a walk. When he left the game, the Gators were up 9-3. Blake Purnell threw 2 innings, giving up only 2 hits, but was replaced for the 9th by Carson Finnvold, who came into the game with an 11-3 lead. He gave up 6 runs, 5 earned, on 2 BB's and 3 hits (including a grand slam), only getting 1 out. Brandon Neely got the last 2 outs for the save. The offense only got 8 hits to Seton Hall's 11, but had 10 walks with 11 K's. Jud Fabian had a HR and 3 RBI, Derec Fabian went 1-3 with 2 RBI, and Colby Halter went 2-4.
The final game of the series is at Noon Sunday on SEC+. Nick Pogue is scheduled to get his first start since 2020, missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery.
UF baseball, 13-4, lost to now 1-12 Seton Hall 6-4 on Sunday, as they were simply outpitched and outhit on a day when things just didn't go the Gators' way. Starting pitcher Nick Pogue only went 1.2 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits while walking 3. Tim Manning threw the next inning, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits, a HBP and a walk. Nick Ficarrotta went 3.1 innings, giving up a run on 3 hits. Brandon Neely got only 1 batter out while giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits. Blake Purnell tossed 1.2 innings and gave up no runs, a hit and a HBP. Garrett Milchin threw a clean 9th. Seton Hall had 12 hits, 5 walks and stranded 10 base runners. The Gators only got 7 hits and 4 walks, while stranding 11 base runners. They were led by Wyatt Langford's 3-4 with a HR and RBI, with 4 other guys getting a hit.
As Florida heads into a big week, hosting FSU Tuesday, then traveling to Alabama for their SEC opening series, they've got to settle on relievers who can consistently throw strikes (like Purnell, Ficarrotta & Slater have been), plus find a reliable Sunday starter. In addition, Colby Halter and Mac Guscette have injuries that we hope are minor. Sterlin Thompson and Deric Fabian have slumped off in their hitting of late and Josh Rivera continue to struggle at the plate. This is a team with a ton of talent and offensive firepower up and down the lineup, but as they head into the meat of their schedule, we'll see how good these guys really are.
As Florida heads into a big week, hosting FSU Tuesday, then traveling to Alabama for their SEC opening series, they've got to settle on relievers who can consistently throw strikes (like Purnell, Ficarrotta & Slater have been), plus find a reliable Sunday starter. In addition, Colby Halter and Mac Guscette have injuries that we hope are minor. Sterlin Thompson and Deric Fabian have slumped off in their hitting of late and Josh Rivera continue to struggle at the plate. This is a team with a ton of talent and offensive firepower up and down the lineup, but as they head into the meat of their schedule, we'll see how good these guys really are.
#4 UF softball lost a 1-0 pitcher's duel to Mississippi State Sunday afternoon, dropping their record to 22-2, 11 in the SEC. Rubber game Monday at 7 pm on the SEC Network. Annie Willis was great for the Bulldogs, holding the Gators to 5 hits and 2 walks with 9 K's. Natalie Lugo and Marissa Mesiemore pitched well for Florida, with Lugo giving up all 5 Bulldog hits in 5 innings, with 2 walks, a hit batter and only 1 K. Miss. St. got their run in the 2nd on a 1-out single, a stolen base, a sac. fly that moved the runner to 3rd and then a single. The Gators had 2 base running errors at third base that cost them a run in 2 separate innings. Pinch runner Mia Buffano tripped rounding 3rd on a triple by Cheyenne Lindsay and was tagged out in a rundown and later in the game Katie Kistler stole 3rd base, but failed to react and score when the catcher threw the ball into left field and was left stranded.
The Gators came into the game with one of the most prolific offenses in the country - batting average, runs scored, stolen bases and - and it was the first time they've been held to less than 3 runs so far this year. Let's see how they respond tomorrow.
The Gators came into the game with one of the most prolific offenses in the country - batting average, runs scored, stolen bases and - and it was the first time they've been held to less than 3 runs so far this year. Let's see how they respond tomorrow.
UF softball took the series from Mississippi State Monday night 3-0 behind a complete game 4 hitter from Elizabeth Hightower, who walked only 1 and struck out 3. It was scoreless in the top of the 6th when left fielder Katie Kistler threw out a Bulldog runner at home trying to score from 2nd on a 2-out single. Kendra Falby led off the bottom of the inning with an inside the park home run. Hannah Adams walked and Skylar Wallace followed with a 2-run HR to give the Gators their margin of victory. UF next plays Stetson Wednesday night, then travels to Texas A&M for a weekend series. Gators are now 23-2.
Alabama comes in to their baseball series with Florida at 12-6, 12 -2 at home. The only ranked team they have played is Texas in Austin and they got swept 1-0, 2-0, 6-1. They also have losses to UT-Martin, North Alabama & Southern Miss. Team Batting average is .306, led by OF Tommy Seidl at .422. They have 187 hits and 22 HR in 18 games, with 111 K's, 52 walks and 16 HBP. Their fielding at .986, with a team ERA of 3.02. Pitchers have given up 124 hits with 15 HR, 48 walks, 9 HBP and 165 K's. Pitching is Alabama's strength and the Gators will need to get quality pitching and be very disciplined at the plate to win this series, IMO.
UF softball escaped the opening game of their series at Texas A&M Friday night with a 3-2 comeback win. Elizabeth Hightower (7-0) threw a complete game 3 hitter, giving up only 1 earned run, walking 3 with 8 K's. A&M got an unearned run in the 2nd inning on a 2 out throwing error from Charla Echols. They added another run in the 3rd on a single and double. The Gators only had 2 hits going to the 6th, but got 1-out back to back walks to Skylar Wallace & Echols. Reagan Walsh doubled off the wall to drive home Wallace. Cheyenne Lindsey flew out to LF and both runners tagged up. Echols trotted home instead of hustling and Walsh was thrown out at 3rd before Echols tagged home, negating the tying run. In the 7th inning, Emily Wilkie slapped a 1 out single, then Kendra Falby got a 2-out single, and Hannah Adams got a bunt single to load the bases. Wallace then singled up the middle to drive in 2 runs and give the Gators their margin of victory. UF had 6 hits on the game and 6 walks, but hit into 4 double plays and left 7 runners stranded, plus committed 2 errors. But they got an SEC road win.
Gator baseball won their first game at Alabama 6-4, although the ending was pretty scary. Hunter Barco was dominant in 8 innings of pitching, giving up only 4 hits, no walks with 10 K's. He yielded a solo HR in the 8th. The Gators scored 4 runs in the 2nd innings on a 2-run single from Derec Fabian and a 2-run HR from Jud Fabian. B.T. Riopelle added a solo HR in the 3rd and then Florida added another run in the 7th on a error after a walk and a single. The Gators had 12 hits on the night, with every starter getting a hit, led by Riopelle with 3 and Josh Rivera with 2. But in the 9th inning, with the Gators coasting 6-1, Nick Facarrotta gave up a single to lead off the inning, then hit a batter. After getting a pop up out, he gave up 2 more singles, followed by a throwing error from Colby Halter trying to cut down a runner at home. Blake Purnell relieved, hit a batter and then gave up a run charged to Nick Fic on a fielder's choice that loaded the bases with still only 1 out. He got a ground out double play to end the gave and earn the save. Too close for comfort, but a road win in the SEC is big.
We had some issues last year holding 9th inning leads. Bama is a quality team, and as you mentioned always good to get game 1 on the road. Need some of these freshman arms to start taking shape.
UF softball dropped to 24-3, 3-2 in the SEC, getting dominated by Texas A&M pitcher Makinzy Herzog, an FSU transfer, 5-0. She struck out 15 Gators, giving up only 1 walk and 3 hits, one by catcher Same Roe and 2 by LF Katie Kistler. Natalie Lugo only went 2 inning for Florida, giving up 2 walks, a single and a 2-out grand slam HR in the 1st inning. Lexie Delbrey pitched the next 2 innings, giving up only 1 hit, no walks and 2 K's. Rylee Trlicek threw the last 2 innings, giving up a run on 2 hits and a walk.
My observations after a great pre-conference run and 5 SEC games is that Charla Echols, to a great degree, and Hannah Adams, to a somewhat lesser degree, are not hitting at the level we are used to seeing, especially in clutch situations and the younger players except for Kistler are really struggling with SEC- quality pitching. I know it's early in the SEC schedule, but our first 2 series have been against lower tier SEC teams and we haven't looked much better than them. Got to pick it up if they want to have the type of team most everybody expected.
My observations after a great pre-conference run and 5 SEC games is that Charla Echols, to a great degree, and Hannah Adams, to a somewhat lesser degree, are not hitting at the level we are used to seeing, especially in clutch situations and the younger players except for Kistler are really struggling with SEC- quality pitching. I know it's early in the SEC schedule, but our first 2 series have been against lower tier SEC teams and we haven't looked much better than them. Got to pick it up if they want to have the type of team most everybody expected.
Somewhat of a slump, and we have much better teams upcoming on the schedule. Walton will get the most he can out of this team.
600 wins and it seems like he's only been in Gainesville a few years. Time flies.
