FLORIDA SOFTBALL: Softball Transfers

Florida continues to reshape their softball team after a subpar 2023 season that saw the Tim Walton led Gators miss the Super Regionals for only the third time since he was hired in 2006. One being his first year.

Brooke Barnard transfers to the Gators out of Mississippi. The Ole Miss utility player played in 74 games during her freshman and sophomore years. Batting .257 with two walks, four extra-base hits and seven stolen bases in 2022. Barring .333 a double, a triple, and a home run to go along with nine RBIs and six runs scored In 2023.

Joining Brooke from the portal is Louisville transfer Korbe Otis. Otis has started every game as an outfielder in 2022 and 2023 seasons. Batting .354 average, 18 doubles, 10 triples, 15 home runs with 73 RBI and 94 runs scored. Otis led the ACC and triples (7) and runs per game (1.12) While ranking nationally 5th and 7th respectively in those categories. Korbe has great speeds stealing 23 out of 24 attempted stolen bases and ran track in high school setting records in the 100 meter and 200 meter.

These are welcome additions to the team and the number one recruiting class led by Gatorade Players of the Year, pitcher Ava Brown and pitcher Keagan Rothrock. Along with the players lost by graduation Charla Echols, Samantha Bender, Kinsey Goelz, Elizabeth Hightower, Sarah Longley and Pal Egan the Gators lose sophomore pitcher Lexi Delbrey and sophomore catcher Sam Roe who have transferred out.

Another welcome change in the off-season is the addition of a new pitching coach Chelsey Dobbins. Dobbins has spent the last eight years at North Carolina coaching multiple pitchers to NFCA and ACC honors.

You know coach Walton is looking to not only win a regional next year but get back to Oklahoma City and the Woman’s College World Series. He will not stand still and there's still room to make a few more moves this offseason. Hopefully, more new and positive changes coming soon.