Special report on the Florida Gators softball team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 6 Florida defeated Mercer, 10-2 in five innings, on a beautiful Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
An impressive onslaught from the offense, as it totaled 10 runs on 10 hits, and a strong start from Kelly Barnhill(17-3), allowed the Gators (26-6) to route the Bears (13-19) in the first game of a two-game series.
Offensively, eight different Gators scored runs, including two runs each from Kendyl Lindaman and Amanda Lorenz. Lindaman hit two home runs and drove in six runs on the day. Her six-RBI game ties her career-high for RBI in a single game.
Four different pitchers entered the circle for Florida today. Barnhill (17-3) and Natalie Lugo combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed no hits over 4.0 innings. A combination of Danni Farley and Katie Chronisterfinished out the final inning.
How It Happened – Mercer – W, 10-2 (Five Innings)
| Inning | Score | Play |
| B-2nd | 1-0 | Jordan Roberts stroked a ball over the left field wall for a leadoff home run in the second inning to open up the scoring for the Gators. |
| B-2nd | 2-0 | With one on and one out, Jaimie Hoover drove a ball off the right field wall for a triple that scored Sophia Reynoso to extend the Gators lead. |
| B-2nd | 3-0 | Following Hoover’s triple, Cheyenne Lindsey grounded out to second base which allowed Hoover to score from third as the Gators continued their big second inning. |
| B-3rd | 6-0 | Lindaman doubled the Gators lead in the following inning with a three-run homerun off the scoreboard out in left field, scoring Amanda Lorenz and Hannah Adams. |
| B-3rd | 7-0 | Hoover drove in her second run of the game with a hard single up the middle that scored Alex Voss to keep another hot inning going for the Gators. |
| B-4th | 10-0 | Lindaman hit her second homerun of the day, this one a shot down the left field line to drive in Lorenz and Jade Caraway that set the Gators up nicely to end the game in the top-half. |
| T-5th | 10-1 | Amanda Schwartz hit a slow-roller back at pitcher Danni Farley who misplayed it, allowing the Bears’ Kenlie Harvey to score. |
| T-5th | 10-2 | The next batter, Shaila Warren, singled to left field with the bases loaded to grab one more run back for the Bears, scoring Megan Lane. |
Standout Statistic
- Lindaman’s six RBI is the most RBI in a game by a single player for the Gators since Mar. 1, 2018 against Loyola Marymount (Amanda Lorenz).
Notable Notes
- Florida improved to 7-0 historically against Mercer with all seven wins coming at home.
- Cheyenne Lindsey recorded her second RBI of the season in the second inning.
- Lindaman has now reached base safely in 31-straight contests.
- The only game she did not reach safely was the first game of the 2019 season against Illinois State on Feb. 8.
- Lindaman has homered in three-straight games, as well as four of her last five and five of her last seven games.
- Today is her first game with six RBI this season, which ties her career-high, and her eighth game this season with multiple RBI.
- This was her first game with multiple homeruns this season, and her fifth time in her career.
- Kelly Barnhill has struck out the side 17 times this season, including once today.
- Barnhill’s scoreless innings streak improves to 10.0 innings.
- As a team, Florida has struck out the side 24 times this season.
- This is Florida’s 13th game this season striking out 10 or more batters.
- The Gators are 12-1 in those games.
Next Up
The Gators close out their two-game series with Mercer on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.