Florida Gators

Barnhill Postgame Interview after Winthrop
 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After earning two wins and recording 27 strikeouts in 12.0 innings pitched last week, University of Florida right-hander Kelly Barnhill garnered Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Week honors, the league office announced Monday. The accolade marks the first SEC weekly award of her career, and Florida's first weekly accolade this season.
 
Barnhill ran her record to 10-0 this week with a pair of wins over Winthrop and No. 16 Tennessee.
 
Against the Eagles, the freshman threw a two-hit shutout with three walks and a school-record high tying 18 strikeouts. Barnhill's 18 strikeouts tied a UF single-game record that she and junior Delanie Gourley set a few weeks ago against Florida A&M.
 
On Sunday, March 6, that duo combined for 18 strikeouts against the Rattlers in the second game of Florida's doubleheader. Gourley recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched, and Barnhill dealt five strikeouts to the only five FAMU hitters she faced.
 
The rookie tried to mirror that performance over seven innings against Winthrop, as Florida's first-year pitcher fanned two batters in the fourth and struck out the side in five of the other six innings that day.
 
Barnhill now holds the Florida individual-game record for strikeouts. That mark was previously held by her teammate, Aleshia Ocasio, and former Gator, Renise Landry, who each had 17 in a game.
 
On Saturday against Tennessee, Barnhill allowed two runs on four hits and recorded nine strikeouts to go along with just one walk. She was relieved by Ocasio who threw two perfect innings and earned the third save of her season.
 
The win was Barnhill's first career SEC victory.
 
The Marietta, Ga. native has 99 strikeouts this season and is looking to become the fifth Gator freshman in six years to record 100+ strikeouts.
 
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