Gator Country

Florida junior Michelle Moultrie is one game shy of the school record hit-streak after extending hers to 19 games Sunday against South Carolina. / Gator Country photo by Tim Casey

After taking down No. 2 Alabama in last weekend’s SEC series, the No. 5 Florida Gators (43-8, 18-7 SEC) softball team cruised to a series sweep over South Carolina (25-27, 6-19 SEC) Sunday with a 6-1 win in game three.

Junior Michelle Moultrie extended her hit streak to 19 games with a solo home run in the top of the third inning. Her hit Sunday puts her one away from tying senior Megan Bush’s school record 20-game hit streak, set earlier this season.

The Gators got on the scoreboard in the first inning with a two-run homer by sophomore Brittany Schutte. Schutte’s two-run blast came after senior left fielder Kelsey Bruder drew a one-out walk.

Florida scored two runs again in the third. Moultrie’s leadoff homer put the Gators up 3-0 before Bruder doubled to right and Schutte was intentionally walked. Bruder and Schutte advanced to second and third after a fielding error by South Carolina third baseman Evan Childs.

Bruder scored on a throwing error by Gamecocks shortstop Sammie Garcia before Florida freshman Cheyenne Coyle struck out to end the inning.

Freshman pitcher Hannah Rogers (27-5) gave up her only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.

South Carolina designated hitter Laura Mendes led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Hannah Milks drove Mendes home with two outs to score South Carolina’s only run of the game.

Rogers pitched a complete game, giving up eight hits against 29 batters faced. She struck out three.

Florida added its final pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning.

Tiffany DeFelice singled to left field, and Coyle homered to left to put the Gators up 6-1.

South Carolina pitcher Audrey Broyles (6-9) picked up the loss for the Gamecocks after giving up three runs on two hits in two innings of work.

The Gators will take on in-state rival FSU in Gainesville during the final week of regular-season action Wednesday Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium before hosting Tennessee over the weekend.

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