Special report on the Florida Gators softball team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida softball program and head coach Tim Walton are excited to announce the addition of Mia Buffano, Julia Cottrill, Baylee Goddard, Sarah Longley, E.C. Taylor, Rylee Trlicek and Bryn Thomas to National Letters of Intent Wednesday.
Thomas is expected to join the program this upcoming January as an early enrollee, while the remaining six will join the program in the fall of 2019.
The program recently captured its fourth-straight, league-leading eighth overall, Southeastern Conference Regular Season Championship and fourth overall tournament title behind a 20-4 conference record.
The Gators went on to secure its ninth bid to the Women’s College World Series in 11 years and finished the season with a 56-11 record.
“I’m thrilled to announce our 2019 signing class to Gator Nation.” Walton said. “Each of these outstanding young women have grown in this sport over the years and I look forward to helping them grow more so that they can achieve their goals, not only as a player on the field but as a well-rounded student-athlete, during their time here as a Gator.”
Mia Buffano
Hometown | Palm Harbor, Fla.
B/T – L/L | Position – OF
High School | Palm Harbor University
Travel Team | Santa Fe Inferno – Lovett 18U
- 2018 Tampa Bay Times All-Pinellas County First Team
- 2018 Tampa Bay Times All-Tampa Bay Second Team
- 2017 Miracle Sports All-State First Team
- 2017 Tampa Bay Times All-Pinellas County First Team
- 2017 FHSAA 9A State Championship Appearance
- 2017 ASA/USA Nationals Top 4 Finish – Santa Fe Interno – Lovett 18U
- 2016 Tampa Bay Times All-Pinellas County First Team
- 2016, 2017 & 2018 Academic Honor Roll…Invited into the National Honors Society
Julia Cottrill
Hometown | Stillwater, Okla.
B/T – R/R | Position – C
High School | Stillwater
Travel Team | Georgia Impact – Lewis 18U
- 2019 USA Junior Women’s National Team Selection Trial Invitee
- 2018 Oklahoma Fastpitch Coaches Association All-State Selection
- 2018 PGF National Championship – Georgia Impact – Lewis 18U
- 2017 USA Junior Women’s National Team Member
- 2017 Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference 6A Offensive Player of the Year
- 2017 The Oklahoman’s Big All-City First Team
- 2016 Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference 6A First Team
- 2016 The Oklahoman’s Big All-City Second Team
- 2016 Varsity Kansas All-Metro Team
- 2015 Junior Olympic Cup Championship – Wichita Mustangs 18U
Baylee Goddard
Hometown | Orange Park, Fla.
B/T – R/R | Position – INF
High School | Oakleaf
Travel Team | Jacksonville Storm – Davis 18U
- 2018 Florida Athletic Coaches Association 8A All-State Team
- 2018 Miracle Sports All-State First Team
- 2018 All-First Coast Third Team
- 2017 Miracle Sports All-State Second Team
- 2017 FHSAA 8A State Championship – Oakleaf
- 2016 Miracle Sports All-State Second Team
- 2016 All-First Coast First Team
- Spanish and Art Honor Society…A-B Honor Roll Student
Sarah Longley
Hometown | Royal Palm Beach, Fla.
B/T – R/R | Position – INF
High School | Wellington
Travel Team | Lady Gators – Jackson 18U
- 2018 Miracle Sports 8A All-State First Team
- 2018 All-Palm Beach County 7A-9A First Team
- 2018 ASA Nationals 7th Place Finish – Lady Gators
- 2017 All-Palm Beach County 7A-9A First Team
- 2017 Palm Beach Post All-Area First Team
- 2017 Wellington High School Offensive Player of the Year
- 2017 Wellington High School MVP
- 2017 Miracle Sports 8A All-State First Team
- 2017 Land Rover Palm Beach Player of the Week (5/19)
- 2017 FHSAA 8A Championship Appearance
- 2016 Wellington High School Offensive Player of the Year
- 2016 All-Palm Beach County 7A-9A First Team
- Ranked 5th Nationally in Bowling…A-B Honor Roll Student
E.C. Taylor
Hometown | Marion, Ark.
B/T – L/R | Position – OF
High School | Saint Benedict at Auburndale
Travel Team | Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier – Thompson
- 2018 TSSAA Division II Class AA All-Region MVP
- 2018 TSSAA Division II Class AA All-Region Team
- 2018 Commercial Appeal All-Metro First Team
- 2018 Saint Benedict at Auburndale Offensive Player of the Year
- 2018 PGF 16U National Championship – Birmingham Thunderbolts
- 2018 Triple Crown Sports Colorado Fireworks 16U Championship – Birmingham Thunderbolts
- 2017 TSSAA Division II Class AA All-Region MVP
- 2017 TSSAA Division II Class AA All-Region Team
- 2017 Commercial Appeal All-Metro Team
- 2017 Saint Benedict at Auburndale Lady Eagle Award Recipient
- 2017 Saint Benedict at Auburndale MVP
- 2017 High School Record – Stolen Bases (62)
- 2016 Tennessee Sports Writers Association Division II All-State
- 2016 TSSAA Division II Class AA All-Region Team
- 2016 Commercial Appeal All-Metro Team
- 2016 Saint Benedict at Auburndale Rookie of the Year
- 2016 High School Record – Stolen Bases
Rylee Trlicek
Hometown | Hallettsville, Texas
B/T – L/L | Position – LHP
High School | Hallettsville
Travel Team | OC Batbusters – Stith 18U
- 2018 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Team
- 2018 Texas Sports Writers Association First Team
- 2018 Central Texas District 27-3A Offensive MVP
- 2018 Victoria Advocate 3A Offensive Player of the Year
- 2017 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Team
- 2017 Texas Sports Writers Association First Team
- 2017 Victoria Advocate District 27-3A MVP
- 2017 Victoria Advocate Area Offensive Player of the Year
- 2016 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State
- 2016 Texas Sports Writers Association Honorable Mention
- 2016 Victoria Advocate Area Newcomer of the Year
- 2016 Victoria Advocate 27-3A All-District First Team
- 2016 All-American Varsity Cheerleader
- Student Council President…Top 10 percent of her class…Rotary Interact…Class Vice President
Bryn Thomas
Hometown |Trenton, Fla.
B/T – R/R | Position – C
High School | Trenton
Travel Team | Gainesville Gold – McFadyen 18U
- 2018 Florida Athletic Coaches Association 1A All-State Team
- 2018 Gainesville Sun 1A All-Area First Team
- 2018 Prep Zone Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week (Softball – 4/13)
- 2018 FHSAA 1A Championship Appearance – Trenton
- 2018 FHSAA District 7 Champions
- 2018 Florida Athletic Coaches Association Academic All-State Team (Softball & Basketball)
- 2018 Florida Athletic Coaches Association 1A All-State First Team
- 2017 Florida Athletic Coaches Association 1A All-State Team
- 2017 Florida Athletic Coaches Association Academic All-State Team (Softball & Basketball)
- 2017 Florida Athletic Coaches Association 1A All-State Team
- 2017 FHSAA District 7 Champions
- 2016 Prep Zone Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week (Basketball – 2/19)
- 2016 Florida Athletic Coaches Association Academic All-State Team (Softball & Basketball)
- Varsity Basketball Player…Honor Roll Student…Class President (9th-11th Grade)