GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida head softball coach Tim Walton announced the appointment of Cody Dent as the program’s volunteer assistant softball coach in September, 2016. Dent replaces Doug Mirabelli, who spent the 2015 season with the Gators.
Dent comes back to Gainesville after completing his four-year career in the minor leagues with the Washington Nationals organization. A 22nd-round selection of the Nats in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft, the Boynton Beach, Fla. native spent time with the Auburn Doubledays, Hagerstown Suns and Potomac Nationals during his career.
A utility man who played seven positions over the course of his minor league career, played in 200 games and logged a .191 (114-for-596) batting average to go along with two home runs, eight doubles, three triples, 44 RBI and 16 stolen bases. In addition, Dent recorded a .283 on base percentage as he notched 73 walks during his pro career.
Dent, no stranger to UF, played his collegiate baseball with the Gators from 2010-13. During his freshman season he played in 28 games with appearances third base, second base and shortstop. Overall, he went 7-for-30 (.233) with seven runs, five walks and two RBI. Meanwhile, the rookie went and 5-for-12 (.417) with three runs scored in nine Southeastern Conference games. Off the field, Dent earned was an SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll member for his outstanding work in the classroom.
As a sophomore in 2011, Dent played in 48 games (22 starts) and hit .207 with 17 walks, 11 runs and seven RBI. Dent, a member of the 2011 College World Series All-Tournament Team, started all 11 of the Gators’ NCAA Tournament games at the hot corner and batted .273 with a team-high nine walks and a pair of sacrifice flies. In 2012, he appeared in 56 games and notched 24 starts at four different positions. During that season, Dent led the Gators with 10 sacrifice hits, a total that ranked fourth in school history in a single season.
In Dent’s final year at UF in 2013, the senior started in 48 games in his final collegiate season. Overall, the veteran saw action in 52 of the Gators’ 59 contests where he recorded career-highs in walks (17), runs scored (15), RBI (13) and doubles (three). Defensively, Dent sported a .971 fielding percentage during his senior season.
For his career, Dent played in the College World Series three years in a row (2010-12) and was a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
Off the field, Dent is married to the former Ensley Gammel who played softball at UF from 2010-2013. In addition, he is the son of 12-year Major Leaguer Bucky Dent who was the 1978 World Series MVP for the New York Yankees.
What They Said…
Florida Head Coach Tim Walton
“We are extremely pleased and excited that Cody (Dent) will be joining the Florida Gators softball program. Cody is a Gator and we’ve known him for a longtime based off his success on the diamond and marrying the former Ensley Gammel. Overall, his experience at the college and professional levels will be a valuable asset for us as we prepare for the 2017 season.”
Florida Volunteer Assistant Coach Cody Dent
“I am very appreciative of the opportunity to join the University of Florida softball program. I am looking forward to helping Coach (Tim) Walton and his staff any way that I can to continue the tradition of coaching championship student-athletes, on and off the field.”
THE DENT FILE
1st Season
EXPERIENCE
2016-present – University of Florida, Volunteer Assistant Coach
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2016 – Hagerstown Suns, South Atlantic League; Potomac Nationals, Carolina League
2015 – Hagerstown Suns, South Atlantic League; Potomac Nationals – Carolina League; Harrisburg Senators, Eastern League
2014 – Hagerstown Suns, South Atlantic League; Potomac Nationals, Carolina League
2013 – Auburn Doubledays, New York Penn League
2010-13 – Florida, four-year letterwinner
EDUCATION
University of Florida ‘13, Sport Management
Feature image by: Tim Casey
