Special report on the Florida Gators softball team
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida pitching duo of Aleshia Ocasio and Kelly Barnhill combined for 16 strikeouts and one hit allowed, as the No. 1-ranked Florida softball team swept Jacksonville in a doubleheader Wednesday evening. The Gators beat the Dolphins by scores of 6-0 and 10-0 in UF’s home-opening games.
In game one, Ocasio recorded the 16th no hitter in Florida history and the first since her teammate Delanie Gourley threw one in the 2014 NCAA Regional against Florida A&M (May, 16).
A hit batter in the first and a walk in the fourth were the only base runners allowed. In addition, Ocasio’s no-no was the first in a home opener in program history.
In game two, Barnhill became the sixth freshman in UF history to throw a one-hitter and the second Gator this season. For the game, the Marietta, Ga. native totaled nine strikeouts in five shut-out innings.
Ocasio and Barnhill became the first set of Florida teammates to throw a no hitter and one hitter back to back since Stacey Nelson and Stephanie Brombacher accomplished the feat on Feb. 13, 2009 against Texas Tech and Coastal Carolina.
Offensively, senior Taylor Schwarz paced the Gators with two hits (one triple), four runs scored and recorded one base on balls between the two contests. Frosh Amanda Lorenz posted some solid numbers too, as she had three hits (one double), four RBI and three runs scored.
Florida’s 6-0 win in game one ended a streak of four straight run-rule victories to begin the 2016 campaign, which was the longest such streak to start a season in program history.
Although Florida’s offense is averaging nine runs per game, its pitching and defense have carried the torch thus far this season. UF has allowed just one run and committed just one error through six games.
The one run allowed ties for the best mark since 2009 when the Gators allowed one tally through their first eight contests.
Game 1 Recap
After Florida was held scoreless in consecutive innings for the second time this season to open the game, UF finally got to JU in the third and tallied four runs.
In that frame, senior Taylor Schwarz, who was hit-by-a-pitch to lead off the inning, scored the first run of the game on a double steal when JU’s catcher attempted to throw out Justine McLean taking second. After a Kirsti Merritt single and stolen base placed runners in scoring position, rookie Amanda Lorenz notched a two RBI single up the middle.
Senior Taylore Fuller finished the scoring with a single to left which plated Lorenz.
The Gators added a run in the fourth when Schwarz led off the inning with the fourth triple of her career. Florida eventually loaded the bases and scored its lone run of the inning on a Merritt RBI groundout to second.
UF’s offense was quiet in the fifth and scored once in the sixth while Aleshia Ocasio did her thing in the circle.
Overall, the sophomore tossed seven scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out seven.
Game 2 Recap
Florida tallied three runs in the first, four in the second and three in the third to run-rule the Dolphins, 10-0, for the fourth time in the last seven meetings between the two schools.
Meanwhile, rookie Kelly Barnhill had the best outing of her season, allowing just one hit while striking out seven in a five inning shut-out win. The right-hander did not allow a runner to get into scoring position.
Offensively, sophomore Kayli Kvistad was 2 for 3 with a career-high two doubles and four RBI. In addition, Amanda Lorenz tallied two runs scored, two RBI and had one double.
Kvistad recorded a two-run double in the first, then both underclassmen hit two-run doubles in the second. In the third, seniors Kirsti Merritt and Taylore Fuller hit a two-RBI and RBI single, respectively.
The win marked Florida’s fifth run-rule win in its six games.
NEWS & NOTES
UF has now outscored its six opponents this season, 54-1.
A season ago, UF had a plus-55 run differential (62-7) through six games.
Florida’s senior class is now 179-28 and trying to catch UF’s 2011 class which boasted a 238-33 mark during their four years.
UF’s senior class is now an astonishing 87-12 at home.
Tim Walton is now just 19 wins away from his 700th and currently ranks 42nd overall among active coaches in total wins.
Taylor Schwarz recorded Florida’s first triple of the season in the fourth inning of game one.
The three-bagger was Schwarz’ fourth of her career and first since Feb. 7, 2014 against Wisconsin.
Schwarz also tied career-high with three runs scored.
Florida recorded its second double play of the season (4 (DeWitt) – 6 (Stewart) – 3 (Schwarz)) to end the fifth inning of game one.
Schwarz has now turned 58 double plays in her career which is two of the school record set by Melissa Zick.
Lily Mann, who pinch ran for Aubree Munro in the sixth inning of game one, scored her first collegiate run on a Kirsti Merritt sac fly.
Kayli Kvistad notched a career-high two doubles in game two of the doubleheader.
Aleshia Ocasio had her first hit of the season in the fourth inning of game two.
Delanie Gourley recorded her first-career at bat in the fourth inning of game two. The junior flew out to deep center with the bases loaded.
Series History
Florida is now 16-0 all-time against Jacksonville, including a 13-0 mark under Tim Walton. UF has now run-ruled JU six times, including four of its last seven meetings.
In addition, the Orange and Blue are 23-1 against in-state opponents since the start of 2014.
Up Next
Florida is back in action this weekend with five games in three days at the Diamond 9 Tournament in Orlando. Over the weekend, WGGG-AM & WMOP-AM/FM will have each radio broadcast. Check FloridaGators.com tomorrow for more info on these games.
Coaches’ Corner
Head Coach Tim Walton:
“[Aleshia] threw really well tonight and very well the other day against Virginia Tech too. She’s got some pretty good pitches going on. Anytime you can go up and down and change speeds and then we’re adding a little bit of dimension both east and west. Just the variation of speed that she throws really helps keep the hitters off balance. It’s really hard [for them] to get square and get on time.”
Gator Bites
Sophomore Aleshia Ocasio:
“It’s definitely a work in progress. You know coming every day and working hard trying to hit my spots and just getting my body right. That’s definitely a great accomplishment, as it is really gratifying to throw my first no hitter in college. I’m glad I could do it.”