Florida’s student-athletes thanked its fans for coming out by signing autographs for 30 minutes.
Gators Celebrate Start of 2016 with Fan Day
Saturday, January 30, 2016 | Softball
Event featured an Orange and Blue scrimmage, autograph session and meet-and-greet with fans
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Preseason workouts are nearly over and the 2016 University of Florida softball team kicked off its season at Fan Day on Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The event contained an Orange and Blue scrimmage, followed by an autograph session and a team meet-and-greet with fans.
The Gator faithful were out in full swing as the players displayed what's in the arsenal this season. Highlights of the Orange and Blue scrimmage included seven combined strikeouts for junior Delanie Gourley, sophomore Aleshia Ocasio and freshman Kelly Barnhill in the circle. Kirsti Merritt led the Gators at the plate as she had two hits and five RBI
In the mix-and-match team affair, the Gators played five innings prior to fans arriving and two frames after fans were allowed inside the stadium.
While the softball was awesome, it was the crowd and fans at KSP Stadium that made Fan Day special. The first 150 fans were given free pizza and drinks, but everyone who came out were given 2015 National Championship Posters and 2016 schedule cards.
In addition, fans were given the opportunity to take pictures with UF's 2014 and 2015 NCAA Championship Trophies during the event. Following the scrimmage, Florida's student-athletes thanked its fans for coming out by signing autographs for 30 minutes.
Florida, ranked No. 1 in both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason polls and picked to win the SEC in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, begins its season on Feb. 12 at the USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament in Tampa. The Gators home opener is slated for Feb. 17 against Jacksonville.
Gator Bites:
Senior Taylore Fuller
"It's nice to get the fans excited about our season. They were able to see a little bit of what we've been working on all fall, and with the season right around the corner, we expect them to be here in full force and cheering even louder for us."
Freshman Amanda Lorenz
"It was really exciting to see all our fans wearing the Orange and Blue. It was really cool to play in front of them and know that our season is so close."
FOLLOW THE GATORS
In the Polls: NFCA | USA Softball
Preseason SEC Favorites
FloridaGators.com
Instagram
Twitter
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Facebook
The Gator faithful were out in full swing as the players displayed what's in the arsenal this season. Highlights of the Orange and Blue scrimmage included seven combined strikeouts for junior Delanie Gourley, sophomore Aleshia Ocasio and freshman Kelly Barnhill in the circle. Kirsti Merritt led the Gators at the plate as she had two hits and five RBI
In the mix-and-match team affair, the Gators played five innings prior to fans arriving and two frames after fans were allowed inside the stadium.
While the softball was awesome, it was the crowd and fans at KSP Stadium that made Fan Day special. The first 150 fans were given free pizza and drinks, but everyone who came out were given 2015 National Championship Posters and 2016 schedule cards.
In addition, fans were given the opportunity to take pictures with UF's 2014 and 2015 NCAA Championship Trophies during the event. Following the scrimmage, Florida's student-athletes thanked its fans for coming out by signing autographs for 30 minutes.
Florida, ranked No. 1 in both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason polls and picked to win the SEC in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, begins its season on Feb. 12 at the USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament in Tampa. The Gators home opener is slated for Feb. 17 against Jacksonville.
Gator Bites:
Senior Taylore Fuller
"It's nice to get the fans excited about our season. They were able to see a little bit of what we've been working on all fall, and with the season right around the corner, we expect them to be here in full force and cheering even louder for us."
Freshman Amanda Lorenz
"It was really exciting to see all our fans wearing the Orange and Blue. It was really cool to play in front of them and know that our season is so close."
FOLLOW THE GATORS
In the Polls: NFCA | USA Softball
Preseason SEC Favorites
FloridaGators.com
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball 2025 Florida Hall of Fame - Lauren Haeger | Softball, 2012-15
Thursday, October 30
Tim Walton | The Paul Finebaum Show (October 3, 2025)
Tuesday, October 21
Road to Gameday - Florida Gators Softball
Friday, October 10
Coach Walton with Paul Finebaum
Monday, October 06
