Gladding Softball's First National Player of Week
Tuesday, April 22, 2003 | Softball
Gladding was also dubbed the Southeastern Conference's Pitcher of the Week. This is the second time this season she has earned the honor. She is only the second softball player in school history to receive a pitcher or player of the week nod from the league twice in the same season. The other was Chelsey Sakizzie who earned Pitcher of the Week honors three times in 1998. She was named SEC Player of the Year later that same year.
Gladding had a spectacular weekend at both the plate and the circle against Tennessee. She pitched a complete game no-hit shutout in game one and hit the game winning home run to help her own cause in the bottom of the sixth inning. The no-hitter was her first in a Gator uniform and the third of her career. She only allowed two runners to reach base the entire game, giving up only one walk while striking out 12 for her sixth double digit strikeout performance this season.In the second match-up, Gladding started at first base where she tallied six putouts. It was the first time all season Gladding played a defensive position other than pitcher. In the final game of the series, she returned to the circle to pitch her second consecutive complete game shutout and struck out nine batters. From the plate, she was 2-for-3 with a double and finished the weekend with a 1.000 slugging percentage and a .556 on base percentage.
USA Softball also released its latest Top 25 Poll. The Gators moved up one spot from 23 to No. 22 after last weekend's 3-0 record.Florida meets instate rival No. 14 Florida State tomorrow in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. The first game will be televised live on the Sunshine Network. Both games will air live on WRUF AM850.
