Florida Gators

 
Game Notes
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 1-ranked Gator Softball team (41-3) hosts in-state opponent USF (39-10) on Wednesday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Florida has won 10 of 12 meetings against the Bulls during the last four years, including an 11-1 (five innings) decision earlier this season in Tampa on the opening weekend of the 2016 season.
 
Wednesday's game continues an eight-game homestand for the Gators, as Florida hosts Mississippi State this weekend.
 
Florida is unbeaten in 29 non-conference games and has won 120 of 122 non-league games dating to the start of 2013. In addition, the Orange and Blue are 28-1 against in-state opponents since the start of 2014.
 
Wednesday's game will be broadcast on SEC Network+. UF is 21-2 this season in games streamed online.
 
Coaches' Corner
Head Coach Tim Walton:
On having played USF earlier in the season…
"Overall, I don't think our game from earlier this season against USF plays a big role in Wednesday's contest. South Florida is at a totally different place in its season and we are too. I think it helps from a personnel standpoint, but we're both different teams than we used to be at the beginning of the year."
 
On USF…
"USF had a really good offense last year and has had a really good offense this season, but its pitching has been the key to its success in 2016. South Florida's pitching staff has been throwing well, and when a team is pitching well, you don't have to chase as many runs. Erica Nunn has had an excellent season thus far, as she's already won over 20 games and the rest of their staff is very talented as well."
 
Quick Hits

• UF is ranked No. 1 in both polls, No. 1 in the NCAA RPI and has the sixth-toughest schedule in the NCAA.
• UF holds the highest win percentage (.932) in the country and is in first place in the SEC with a 12-3 mark.
• Florida has an overall scoring margin of 267-43, including 21 shutouts and 15 mercy-rule victories.
• Although UF's offense is averaging 6.07 runs per game, which ranks 32nd in the country, it's Florida's pitching and defense that have carried the torch thus far in 2016. Florida has allowed just 43 runs and committed only 19 errors through 44 games. UF's 43 runs allowed through 44 games is the second fewest in school history through this point in any season. Florida's 2009 squad allowed 40 tallies through 44 contests.
• The Gators currently sport the best fielding percentage (.982) and best earned run average (0.84) in the nation. For comparison through 44 games last season, Florida's pitchers had a 1.51 ERA and its defense had committed 27 errors and had a fielding percentage of .976. 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 44 games.
• Offensively, UF is eighth in the country in OBP (.445), 32nd in scoring (6.07) and ranks 28th in BA (.323).
• Kayli Kvistad is hitting .444 (12 for 27) over UF's last 10 games with four homers, 13 RBI and six runs scored.
• Kelsey Stewart is the NCAA active leader in games played (245), at-bats (846), hits (341), triples (29) and she's third in total bases (489) and fourth in runs scored (245).
• Delanie Gourley and Kelly Barnhill have crossed the century mark for strikeouts. Meanwhile, Aleshia Ocasio is closing in on it. (Delanie Gourley - 143, Kelly Barnhill - 131, Aleshia Ocasio - 99). 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 (0.49) and Gourley (0.76) have the No. 1 and No. 3 ERAs in the country and Barnhill is fourth in strikeouts per game (10.9). In addition, UF's pitching staff has combined to allow the fewest runs in the SEC (43) and record the most strikeouts (373).

 
Setting the Stage: USF

• Florida holds a dominating 43-15 series record over USF and has won the past nine match-ups between the two Florida-based institutions, including once earlier this season.
• Since Tim Walton became Florida's head coach before the 2006 season, the Orange and Blue are 20-2 vs. the Bulls. In addition, this match-up features 20 players from the Sunshine State (UF - 8, USF - 12).
• UF and USF last met on Feb. 14 in Tampa when the Gators run-ruled the Bulls, 11-1, in five innings.

 
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.
 
FOLLOW THE GATORS
In the Polls: NFCA | USA Softball
FloridaGators.com
Instagram
Twitter
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Facebook