The No. 2-ranked University of Florida softball team fell to No. 11 Tennessee, 2-1, on Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals at Tiger Park.
BOX SCORE
Baton Rouge, La. – The No. 2-ranked University of Florida softball team fell to No. 11 Tennessee, 2-1, on Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals at Tiger Park. Both teams began the day averaging more than seven runs per contest for the season, but the contest turned into a pitchers' duel as the Gators and Lady Vols combined for three runs and nine hits.
Both teams had chances to score in the first three innings before the Lady Vols broke through with two runs on four hits in the fourth. Taylore Fuller then cut the Gators' deficit in half with a one-out solo home run to center in the sixth.
Florida was unable to carry its momentum over to the seventh as the Orange and Blue went down in order to end the game.
Taylore Fuller provided offense for Florida with a solo home run. (Photo: Kyle Zedaker)
STAR OF THE GAME
- Taylore Fuller: The junior homered for the third time in seven games dating back to April 25
NOTABLES
- Fuller's home run was her 12th of the year, extending her career high.
- The Trenton, Fla., native logged her 10th multi-hit game of the season and her second in the last four contests.
- Lauren Haeger suffered her first loss of the year, snapping her school-record win streak to open a campaign at 24 decisions.
- Kelsey Stewart saw her career-best hitting streak snapped at 22 games.
WALTON'S WORDS
On what the Gators need to work on based on Friday's game:
“My main concerns have always been getting this offense to be better [when they're behind] in counts, be better with two strikes and be a tougher out. It's also about being more aggressive in hitter's counts. I felt like today we were taking some pretty decent pitches and swinging at bad pitches We've got to be better at that. I thought that [Tennessee pitcher Erin Gabriel] did a good job today. She changed speeds and pitched backwards a little bit, but she really did a good job.”
On how the SEC Tournament can prepare the team for the NCAA Tournament:
“If it's any sign of what we looked like today, not very well. On Sunday, we won a [SEC regular-season] championship. I didn't think we looked very good on Sunday or today, so that's a big question for me. We've got to toughen this group up this week and get them a little bit better in the clutch.”
— Florida Head Coach Tim Walton
UP NEXT
Florida will find out its NCAA Tournament seed and Regional site and opponents on Sunday, when the tournament field will be announced at 10 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
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