College Softball News

Did Florida find its missing offense?

Photo: Florida Athletics

For months, Fastpitch News has struggled with Florida’s lack of offense. On Thursday morning, in the opening game of the 2017 Women’s College World Series, the so-called “missing offense” woke up.

The No. 1 overall seed Florida Gators run-ruled the No. 9 seed Texas A&M Aggies in five innings.

“I haven’t been pleased with it (offense) and I don’t thing they’ve been pleased with but we’ve been pretty open about that. I think when you see the No. 1 in front of our name you expect homeruns and a ton of hits every game but it just doesn’t happen. It’s probably a little bit more the expectation rather than the lack of offense.”

Could this be the start of a scoring outburst? Well, hitting is contagious and they need it be.

The Gators loaded the bases in the first and second innings and scored two in each half. They scored one more in the third and then Aleshia Ocasio hit a three-run homerun in the fourth to slam the door.

“I think we did want to make a statement and hitting is contagious,” said Ocasio. “Kayli started the rally and we kept the energy going. It helped Kelly (Barnhill) a lot to stay calm and collected.”

Nothing was done differently as far as the approach at the plate for Florida. It was just slight mental adjustments, believing in themselves and knowing they have the ability to get the job done.

“I don’t think we’re frustrated,” said Nicole DeWitt. “We all know what we can do up to bat. We’ve had points in the season where we are just hitting the ball like crazy. I think we are just sticking with what we know how to do.”

If Florida can keep scoring early, it will only help its pitching staff. Kelly Barnhill only gave up four hits in four innings and Delaney Gourley gave up one in an inning of relief.

“Whenever you get a lead, it really does take a lot of pressure of a pitcher,” said Barnhill. “You don’t have to be pinpoint perfect. Of course you’re still going to try to but having that leeway and having those runs really does affect a pitcher’s mentality out there on the mound.”

Can the Gators keep this up? We will find out when the Gators put their offense to the test again Friday evening against LSU in a winner’s bracket matchup at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.

To Top