Florida Gators

Game Notes | Aquafina Invitational Schedule
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 1-ranked Gator Softball team (16-0) begins an eight-game homestand this weekend with six games, including five at the Aquafina Invitational. Florida will play Illinois State and FIU twice and have a single game against South Alabama and Florida A&M.
 
The Redbirds, Panthers, Jaguars and Rattlers also will play a total of seven additional games during the tournament.  
 
Coaches' Corner
Head Coach Tim Walton:
 "Our team is very excited to be back at home this weekend. We had a lot of fun against some great competition in Orlando and California these past two weeks, but this weekend presents a new challenge for us. This team thrives off the atmosphere that our fans give us. I can't wait to see if we can continue to improve and progress as a team with SEC play right around the corner."
 
Quick Hits

• The Gators have won their first 16 games by a combined margin of 109-8, including 10 shutouts and nine mercy-rule victories. 
• UF enters this week as one of three teams (UTA, Harvard) in NCAA Division I softball who are undefeated. 
• Although UF's offense is averaging 6.81 runs per game, which ranks 29th in the country, it's Florida's pitching and defense that have carried the torch thus far in 2016. Florida has allowed just eight runs and committed only five errors through 16 games.
• The Gators currently sport the third-best fielding percentage (.987) and the top earned run average in the nation (0.52). For comparison through 16 games last season, Florida had committed 13 errors and had a fielding percentage of .966. UF went on to record its best fielding percentage (.981) and committed just 33 errors which were both school records.
• Florida has not committed an error in 10 consecutive innings entering the Aquafina Invitational. UF's error against NC State last weekend snapped its longest streak of the season, 72 innings.
• The Gators still have yet to allow an opponent to steal a base this season. 
• Offensively, UF sits third in the country in on-base percentage (.495), 29th in scoring (6.81) and 15th in batting average (.363).
• Amanda Lorenz (19), Janell Wheaton (18) and Kelsey Stewart (17) have combined for more hits (55) this season than the number of hits (50) the Gator pitching staff has allowed.
• In addition to leading UF in all these categories, rookie Amanda Lorenz ranks 32nd in batting average (.500),  seventh in walks (19), 19th in runs (21) and fifth in on base percentage (.667) in the nation.
• Janell Wheaton hit two homers against No. 8 Washington last week to propel the UF to a 3-1 win. Both were solo shots in the fourth and sixth innings, with the first tying the game and the second giving UF a 2-1 lead.
• Kelsey Stewart paced the Gators at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic last weekend as she hit .556 (10 for 18) with one triple, one RBI and five runs scored. The Wichita, Kan. native now has 310 hits in her career, which makes her the NCAA active leader by more than 50 hits.
• UF hitters have struck out 39 times on the year; each of the Gators' three pitchers has 39+ strikeouts (Aleshia Ocasio - 41, Delanie Gourley - 39, Kelly Barnhill - 42).
• Gourley has the fifth-best ERA in the nation (0.24) and Barnhill ranks 18th in the strikeouts per game (9.9).

 
Setting the Stage: Aquafina Invitational

• Florida holds a combined record of 29-5 against Florida A&M (12-0), FIU (11-3), Illinois State (5-2) and South Alabama (1-0). UF faced ISU on opening day this season at the USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament in Tampa, where the Gators downed the Redbirds 11-0 in five innings.
• Since Head Coach Tim Walton took the helm at Florida prior to the 2006 season, Florida has played at least five regular season games in a UF-hosted tournament. Overall, UF is 71-5 when playing in its own tournament. In addition, UF is 57-0 in such contests since 2008. 

 
Aquafina Invitational Promotions

• The Aquafina Invitational goes green this weekend, as Pepsi and Neutral Gator will plant a tree in the Gainesville community for each Gator run scored throughout the tournament!
  • Make sure to stop by the Office of Sustainability and Neutral Gator table on Sunday to see how you can continue to live green.
• Friday/Saturday:
  • Kids Korner
  • Stop by the Kids Korner for fun games, poster making and much, much more!
• Sunday:
  • Kid's Club Check-In (11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)
  • All Kids Club members can check in at the Kids Korner
  • Rowdy Reptile Rewards Student Check-In (11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)
  • All students can check in on the Rowdy Reptile Rewards App or at the Rowdy Reptile Rewards table located near the entrance

 
Broadcast Information
All 2016 Florida Softball games can be heard on Florida Sports Talk (WGGG-AM & WMOP-AM/FM). Joel Sebastianelli will have the call this weekend, with former Gator All-American Megan Bush providing analysis.
 
Live Stats
Live stats links for the weekend can be found on the Gators' schedule page.
 
FOLLOW THE GATORS
In the Polls: NFCA | USA Softball
Preseason SEC Favorites
FloridaGators.com
Instagram
Twitter
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Facebook