Walton can't wait to see just how good his Gators are
Friday, March 13, 2015 | Football, Softball, Chris Harry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- No doubt, there are historic records out there that track such things, but for argument's sake let's ponder the odds of two college softball teams facing off nearly a month into their respected seasons and both undefeated.
“Has to be unheard of,” Florida coach Tim Walton said.
No. 1-ranked and defending national champion UF (27-0) welcomes No. 3 and unbeaten LSU (25-0) in a three-game weekend series at Pressly Stadium.
For the Gators, Friday's 6 p.m. opener will mark their first home appearance since Feb. 25, after the club went a perfect 10-for-10 during a 9-day road swing through California. Along the way, UF beat No. 2 Oregon (twice), No. 3 Michigan (for a second time in a month) and run-ruled No. 13 Arizona.
Heading into the Southeastern Conference season, Florida has outscored opponents 212-28, is hitting .323 as a team (compared to .158 for opponents) and has three pitchers with a combined ERA of 0.76.
Yeah, the Gators are really good. They know it, too.
So how does Walton keep them grounded?
“I ask them what their goals are,” he said. “Do you want to be the best team the first half of the season or the best team at the end? We're a good team, but we're not the best team at the end right now.”
Like they were last year.
If the Gators need additional grounding, a glance at the LSU stat sheet may help. The Tigers have put up some pretty gaudy numbers themselves, with three wins over ranked foes -- two against No. 20 Notre Dame and a 4-3 defeat of Arizona -- and can stack their stats up against UF's, for sure. LSU has a 199-28 margin in runs, hits .375 as a team (.185 for opponents), and will trot out four pitchers with an aggregate ERA of 0.86.
“It's a good way for us to start the SEC off and see where we are,” Walton said. “Let's measure up and see what we have to improve on and get better on, whether that's offensively, defensively or pitching.”
And what if some flaws rear themselves? What if the Gators actually, you know, lose a game?
How will they react?
“I don't think it's about how they'll react. It's how I react,” Walton said. “I'm the one who makes the practice plan. I'm the one who makes them comfortable or uncomfortable. I have players I love to death and I love coaching them because they go as hard as they can without worrying about the outcome.”
Should make for an interesting weekend.
