Unless I'm forgetting somebody I think UF is one of 4 undefeated teams remaining alongside OU, Bama, and FSU.
Is there any reason Hightower has been used so sparingly this season? Are they just keeping her fresh since they already know what they have with her? Figured she’d be our ace this year with the bulk of the innings.
My guess is that Walton is gauging the depth of his staff while keeping Hightower fresh for conference play. He, also, needs to get Delbrey live game experience, as she's the up & coming ace of the staff. Look for Hightower to pitch against UCF tomorrow. They beat us twice last year and the Gators want revenge.
Yea, just thought she would have gotten more early season looks, especially as a lefty. Only 2 appearances, no earned runs.
Thats what I don’t understand. How can UCF or other SEC schools at least be able to stream their games online, but Florida can’t. Besides the game Sunday, and maybe one more, we don’t get to see them play till the SEC schedule starts.
UF beats Oakland tonight 6-1 to go to 14-0. They only had 2 hits, a HR to lead of the game off Natalie Lugo, who pitched 5 innings for the win and a 2 out single in the 7th off Trlicek. The Gators had 8 hits, including 2 by Falby & 2 from Wallace. Echols had 3 RBI, Adams had 2 and A. Goelz had 1. 4 more stolen bases tonight, as the Gators are tearing it up on the base paths. Big doubleheader tomorrow, with the first game at 1 pm vs. James Madison, then a 4 pm game vs. UCF.
Do we know if it’s serious? Or just something where he doesn’t want to overuse her before SEC play begins.
The 15-0 Gators just finished off James Madison 6-4, as Natalie Lugo threw a strong 6 innings, giving up 2 unearned runs on 5 hits with 9 K's and a walk in a game where the Gators squandered several scoring chances. Marissa Mesiemore started the 7th, but was relieved by Lexie Delbrey after walking 2 and having a 3-2 count while only retiring 1 batter. Delbrey walked that batter to load the bases, then walked in 2 runs before being replaced by Rylee Trlicek, who got a strikeout and a ground out to end the game and earn a save. Hannah Adams went 3-4 with 2 solo HR, while Charla Echols had a 3-run HR. UF also had 4 more stolen bases, giving them 41 on the season. They now have to turn around and play a very good UCF team in about 45 minutes without Elizabeth Hightower, who has not pitched this weekend.
Florida is now 16-0 after a wild and crazy 12-11 win over UCF in a game that lasted almost 4 hours. Both teams pitching & defense was pretty bad, as UCF made 4 errors, the Gators 1 officially, with several misplays in the field. Delbrey, Trlicek, Mesiemore and Lugo walked 9 batters and gave up 15 hits, with Lugo throwing the last 2 innings and only giving up 1 run to get the save. Florida got 12 hits and 9 walks and were led by Kendra Falby, who went 2-4 with 4 RBI and a HR, Charla Echols 1-3 with 4 RBI and a HR, Katie Kistler 3-3 with 3 runs scored and Sarah Longley 2-5 with 2 RBI. Elizabeth Hightower was unable to pitch this weekend, apparently due to a shoulder issue, Lugo was stretched thin and the other Gator pitchers struggles. But they are still unbeaten.
Delbrey has elite tools but it might be too much to expect her to be consistently good with her pitch location this early in her career. This team can win a lot of games with the pitchers we have available and our improved offense, but we need Hightower back and healthy by SEC play to be any kind of national threat.
While we remain undefeated, I think this weekend may have exposed our weakness. Not to say this isn't a great team that is going to be more fun to watch than in years with the hitting and speed, but we have no one on the Barnhill/Gourley level.