Just two days after the first team practice, the 2023 Gators took the field against an opponent for the first time this fall. The squad returns a majority of the roster that took the program to its 11th Women's College World Series, but four newcomers also received their first taste of competition wearing the Orange & Blue.
The eight-inning exhibition featured four Florida pitchers who each hurled two innings each. Freshman Olivia Gigante received the start in the circle and only allowed one Dolphin to reach base via a walk. Graduate right-hander Elizabeth Hightower followed up to throw in the third and fourth innings, senior Rylee Trlicek hurled the fifth and sixth innings and graduate transfer Samantha Bender closed out the final two innings.
Overall, the staff held Jacksonville to just four hits, a .154 batting average, along with five strikeouts and five walks. The group also forced three double plays that thwarted any momentum the Dolphins would build throughout the game.
Offensively, redshirt-junior Skylar Wallace led the charge with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate that included a team-leading four RBI, a triple, a double and two stolen bases. Wallace put the Gators on the scoreboard, 2-0, in the second inning with a two-RBI single to right field that scored Sarah Longley and Sam Roe.
The Gators struck for four more runs to take a 6-0 lead in the sixth inning. Another two-out rally started with Avery Goelz's (2-for-4) single through the right side and a stolen base that forced a throwing error that allowed her to advance to third. Sarah Longley followed up with a walk and a stolen base to put runners on second and third for Sam Roe (2-for-3). Roe drove the duo in with a two-RBI single to right field and turned the lineup over back to the top of the order.
Sophomore Kendra Falby (2-for-4) kept the rally going with a bunt single and Wallace capped it with a triple off the wall in left center field that cleared the bases to score Roe and Falby.
Florida's speed was also on display right away in its first competition as the team was 6-for-7 on stolen bases.
The team returns to action Sunday at 2 p.m. with an exhibition against Florida State at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Admission is free, but the program is accepting canned goods that the program will donate to local organizations at the end of the fall. In addition, fans are encouraged to bring their own drinks and snacks.
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October 22, 2022 at 09:16PM
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Gators Open Exhibition Slate with Win Over Jacksonville - Florida Gators
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