UF Softball: Back Where We Belong

On paper, the Gators should win this regional.

Happy Days for Gator softball. Can they keep it going? (UAA photo)

By EDDIE GILLEY

GatorBaitMedia.com

Gator Softball returns to Katie Seashole Pressley stadium on Friday to host the Gainesville Regional. Gator fans have come to expect nothing less under Coach Tim Walton: 18 of the 19 appearances in the tournament have happened in the friendly confines of the “Hole.”

Only once have the Gators failed to win and advance to the Super Regionals. They are also a top 8 seed, coming in at #3, which means should they win the Regionals, they would host the Super Regional next weekend. That would be the winner of the Duke Regional.

Florida split a pair of games with Duke back in February in Gainesville.

Usually, the Gators open play at high noon on the first day of Regionals. But this year, that honor will go to the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Don’t be surprised to see the Owls come out on top of that matchup.

The Gators will play Mercer in the nightcap on Friday. It’s a homecoming for the skipper of the Bears. Lindsay Fico, formerly Norfleet, played for the UF from 2003-2006.Playing under Coach Walton in his first year as the head coach.

The Bears came through the losers bracket in the Southern Conference tournament to secure their spot, with a 38-24 record.

On paper, the Gators should win this regional. That is the case more often than not. But it doesn’t happen 100% of the time.

If there is going to be an upset this weekend in Gainesville, it might come from FAU, which has some impressive W’s over quality teams this season.

The Gators will need to bring their A game for every outing this weekend, with fans loud and invested in every inning. In the end, if you are Gator softball fan, it just feels right to spend these two weekends in May in the sweltering heat and humidity among a sold-out crowd. Back where we belong.