Florida Gators

 
Game Notes
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 1-ranked Gator Softball team (38-3) will host in-state rival Florida State (31-4) on Wednesday for the first of two meetings in this season's Share a Little Sunshine Showdown. The Gators have won 14 of the last 15 games in the series, and hold the all-time series over the Seminoles with a 21-14 mark.
 
Wednesday's game begins an eight-game homestand for the Orange and Blue as the Gators host ULL this weekend. and USF and Mississippi State next week.
 
UF enters this week ranked No. 1 in the country after dropping to No. 2 last week for the first time since April 7, 2015.
 
Florida is unbeaten in 26 non-conference games and has won 117 of 119 non-league games dating to the start of 2013.
 
Wednesday's game will be broadcast on SEC Network. Florida is 6-1 this season in games that are on TV.
 
Coaches' Corner
Head Coach Tim Walton:
"Tomorrow's game against Florida State and this weekend's series with ULL is a good out-of-conference challenge for us. Playing Florida State at home drew the largest crowd in our school's history, so I can't wait to see another great scene tomorrow night. FSU is a team and program that' plays very good defense, has great pitching and a dynamic offense. They present a lot of challenges all the way around. Wednesday's game should be a very good softball matchup for not only the state of Florida but for everyone."
 CHECK IT OUT
With Wednesday's game starting at hour later than usual at 7 p.m., Florida head coach Tim Walton has created an excuse letter (pictured right) for fans to give their employer so they can sleep in tomorrow morning! An enlarged size of this letter can be found on Florida's softball Twitter account - @GatorsSB. 

Quick Hits

• Florida entered this week with the highest win percentage (.927) in the country and is in first place in the SEC with a 12-3 record.
• UF has an overall scoring margin of 245-41, including 20 shutouts and 14 mercy-rule victories.
• Although UF's offense is averaging 5.98 runs per game, which ranks 38th in the country, it's Florida's pitching and defense that have carried the torch thus far in 2016. Florida has allowed just 41 runs and committed only 19 errors through 41 games. UF's 41 runs allowed through 41 games is the second fewest in school history through this point in any season. Florida's 2009 squad allowed 37 tallies through 41 contests.
• The Gators currently sport the best fielding percentage (.982) and best earned run average (0.85) in the nation. For comparison through 41 games last season, Florida's pitchers had a 1.55 ERA and its defense had committed 27 errors and had a fielding percentage of .974. UF went on to record a .981 fielding percentage and commit just 33 errors, which were both school records.
• The Gators have allowed just three stolen bases this season, which is the fewest in the SEC. In addition, three stolen bases are the fewest Florida has allowed in school history through 41 games.
• Offensively, UF is ninth in the country in on-base percentage (.448), 38th in scoring (5.98) and ranks 32nd in batting average (.321).
• Amanda Lorenz is hitting .452 (14 for 31) over UF's last 10 games with two homers, two doubles, nine RBI and four runs scored.
• Kelsey Stewart is the NCAA active leader in games played (242), at bats (835), hits (336), triples (29) and she's third in runs scored (241) and total bases (480).  
• Delanie Gourley and Kelly Barnhill have crossed the century mark for strikeouts. Meanwhile, Ocasio is closing in on it. (Kelly Barnhill - 128, Delanie Gourley - 122, Aleshia Ocasio - 97). They are looking to become the second trio in school history to all record 100+ strikeouts in a season. UF achieved this feat last season when Lauren Haeger (214), Ocasio (155) and Gourley (105) all reached the century mark.
• Ocasio (0.45) and Gourley (0.78) have the No. 1 and No. 3 ERAs in the country and Barnhill is fourth in strikeouts per game (11.0). In addition, UF's pitching staff has combined to allow the fewest runs in the SEC (41) and record the most strikeouts (347).

 
Setting the Stage: Florida State

• Florida leads the all-time series, 21-14; this includes a 10-7 advantage at home.
• Since Tim Walton became Florida's head coach before the 2006 season, the Orange and Blue are 15-3 vs. the Garnet and Gold. In addition, this matchup features 20 players from the Sunshine State (UF - 8, FSU - 12).

 
Broadcast Information
Wednesday's game will be broadcast on SEC Network and it can be heard on Florida Sports Talk (WGGG-AM & WMOP-AM/FM). In addition, live stats for Wednesday's game can be found on the Gators' schedule page.
 
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