JACKSONVILLE – An eight-run sixth inning sparked the No. 2 Florida softball team to an 11-0 victory over Jacksonville Wednesday before a school-record crowd of 1,387 at the Jacksonville Softball Complex.
The Gators, who struggled offensively while going 2-1 in last weekend’s season-opening series against Baylor, scored their 11 runs on 10 hits and six walks off three Jacksonville pitchers. The victory improved coach Tim Walton’s team to 3-1 heading into this weekend’s Lipton Invitational at home.
Sophomore second baseman Aja Pacubla led the way, going 3-for-3 with three hits, three RBI and a home run. Sophomore right-hander Stephanie Brombacher earned her second victory of the season with a two-hitter that included eight strikeouts.
Leading 3-0, junior left fielder Francesca Enea was the first Gator to reach in the sixth, as she was hit by a pitch to start off the inning. Senior Brooke Johnson came in to pinch run and immediately stole second. Then sophomore catcher Tiffany DeFelice drew a walk to put runners on second and first (pinch-runner Ami Austin).
Following a pitching change, sophomore Kelsey Bruder singled to left to drive in Johnson. Three straight Florida walks plated two more runs and junior Corrie Brooks scored on a wild pitch before Paculba singled to center for her third RBI of the game. Enea followed with another single to center that drove in two runs for a 10-0 Florida lead. DeFelice ended the scoring with a run-scoring single.
Paculba’s home run – her second of the season – drove in two runs in the fifth. Florida’s first run of the game was second in the top of the third when senior first baseman Ali Gardiner had a run-scoring single.
Brombacher tied a season high with eight strikeouts in the compete game. She only allowed two hits and did not register a base-on-balls. The sophomore now owns a 22-0 career record.
The Gators return home to host the Lipton Invitational Friday through Sunday. They will take on Texas Tech at 5 p.m. and Coastal Carolina at 7:15 p.m. on Friday.