GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – The No. 11 Florida softball team clinched a hard-fought 2-1 win against No. 8 Texas A&M in their series opener at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The game turned into a pitchers’ showdown with freshman Keagan Rothrock leading the Gators against Emiley Kennedy of Texas A&M.
Rothrock had herself a game. She held the Aggies to only five hits and two walks, also tallying five strikeouts in her complete-game performance.
In the second inning, Texas A&M drew first blood, snagging a 1-0 lead off an Allie Enright single that brought Trinity Cannon home from second base.
Despite Kennedy’s seven walks, the Gators struggled to find hits until the fifth inning when they mounted a comeback. Korbe Otis ignited the rally with an infield single, followed by Skylar Wallace’s clutch RBI double to tie the game at 1-1. Jocelyn Erickson and Reagan Walsh added to the pressure with consecutive hits, loading the bases for Ava Brown, who drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly.
Rothrock maintained her composure in the final innings, shutting down Texas A&M’s attempts to equalize. The Gators’ defense also stepped up, with Katie Kistler’s crucial double play in the sixth inning halting the Aggies’ momentum.
Despite late threats from Texas A&M, Rothrock and the Gators sealed the victory. The series continues with game two scheduled for Saturday, May 4th, at 2 p.m. ET, where the 2024 senior class will be honored before the game.
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