Special report on the Florida Gators softball team:
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The fourth-ranked Florida softball team captured its fourth Southeastern Conference Tournament title Friday evening with a 3-1 victory over No. 12 South Carolina at the Mizzou Softball Complex.
The Gators (50-8) erased a 1-0 deficit with Amanda Lorenz’s three-run home run in third inning to complete its come from behind victory over the Gamecocks (45-12).
Aleshia Ocasio (20-6) picked up the victory in the circle as she hurled her 13th complete-game of the season. The St. Cloud, Fla. native limited South Carolina to only a pair of hits and one run while she struck out three over the duration of the game.
Lorenz was honored as the tournament’s most valuable player while Nicole DeWitt, Aleshia Ocasio and Janell Wheaton earned all-tournament team accolades.
How It Happened
| Inning | Score | Play |
| Top 1st | 0-1 | Cayla Drotar produced a sacrifice fly to deep right field that scored Kenzi Maguire who reached with a leadoff double to right center. |
| Bottom 3rd | 3-1 | Amanda Lorenz delivered a three-run home run to put UF ahead. Aleshia Ocasio led off the inning with a single to left field and Alex Voss reached with a walk. |
Standout Statistic
Tim Walton improved his all-time record to 32-1 over South Carolina since joining the Gators program as the head coach.
Notable Notes
- The Gators improved to 28-27 in the SEC tournament and captured its fourth tournament championship – all of which occurred under Walton’s guidance.
o The program has now won four tournament titles. (2008, ’09, ’13, ‘18)
o The 28 tournament wins are third most in the conference.
o It’s the first time since 2013 that the team has won the tournament.
- It’s the fourth time that UF has won both the SEC Regular Season Championship and the tournament title.
o 2008, 2009, 2013 & 2018
- Head Coach Tim Walton improved his SEC tournament record to 19-9.
o As the head coach at Florida, Walton holds a 32-1 record against South Carolina.
- Florida achieved its’ 50th win of the season with tonight’s SEC Tournament title and it’s the 10th 50-win season in program history, all with Walton at the helm.
- The program produced its eighth come from behind victory of the season as the team rallied from being down behind 0-1 after the first inning of play.
Next Up
The Gators will await the release of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship bracket, which is set for Sunday, May 13 at 10 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2.