Florida Gators Softball: Weekend of walk offs as Gators push back Alabama

UF takes two of three from the Crimson Tide in dramatic fashion.

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com

Freshman Taylor Shumaker (UAA photo)

The #7 Florida Gators found themselves staring at another home series loss as Riley Holtorf stepped to the plate to begin the bottom of the 7th inning. The Gators had allowed two runs in the top of the inning to allow Alabama to take a 3-2 lead and set their sights on a second straight series win. Fortunately for the Gators, the roster is full of All-Americans, experience and character that allows this team to stand tall in the face of adversity.

After a walk by Holtorf, Kendra Falby would reach first base on a fielder’s choice putting one of the nation’s fastest players as the tying run on base. Freshman Taylor Shumaker would continue her solid weekend hitting a single that advanced Falby to third. Reigning SEC Player of the Year Jocelyn Erickson would reach on a fielder’s choice that allowed Falby to score while the throw to second by Alabama second basemen Kali Heivilin to catch Shumaker was late so the Gators now had the winning run just 120 feet away.

Senior Korbe Otis walked to home plate 0 for 3 on the day and looking for a hit against Alabama reliever Catelyn Riley that would advance Shumacher and possibly end the game. After working the count full on five pitches the sixth offering from Riley was a hard hit bouncer slightly out of reach of Heivilin that allowed Shumacher to score from second base giving the Gators their second consecutive walk-off win and their second straight SEC series win. On Friday evening Shumacher ended the evening early with a 3-run homerun that gave the Gators a 12-4 five inning win to even the series after dropping Game 1, 7-4.

Shumaker has been one of the nation’s top freshmen with 16 home runs, 16 doubles and 60 hits, a Florida freshmen record. The Fullerton, California native had struggled early in conference play but regained her form against Alabama going 6 for 12 with 6 RBI’s and five runs scored. Her weekend was partnered with another solid outing by Falby who has a hit in all but one conference game this season. In the series Falby scored four runs and is hitting .455 in conference play. She also has a career high 28 RBI’s this season.

The win gave the Gators their first series win at home this season and the first over Alabama at home since 2017. This was the second series win over the Tide after the Gators took two of three last season in Tuscaloosa.

After Friday night’s win Shumaker talked about where the team was mentally heading into today’s game. “We, as a team, had a nice long conversation yesterday about appreciating the process and appreciating one another and cherishing the special moments. I think being able to enjoy the game and not thinking 'I have to do my job again,' just allows the game to flow a little bit better.”

With the second straight series win the Gators are currently fifth in the SEC standings with a mid-week contest against USF before heading to Baton Rouge to take on 9th ranked LSU. As one of the Top 8 teams in the country the Gators currently sit in a good position to host both a regional and super-regional and have the inside track for a third consecutive trip to the Women’s College World Series.

Other Notes:

After today’s game, Korbe Otis was informed that she was one of the first four players drafted by the Athlete’s Unlimited Softball League. Otis was promoted with a Golden Ticket joining Duke’ Ana Gold, Arkansas’s Bri Ellis, and Virginia Tech’s Emma Lemley as the top picks of the league’s inaugural season.