Florida Gators

 
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Florida (47-4/17-4 SEC) scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning but it wasn't enough as the Gators dropped their series finale with Texas A&M (34-16/7-14 SEC), 6-4, on Sunday afternoon at the Aggie Softball Complex. The Aggies used a four-run sixth inning to halt Florida's 13-game winning streak.
 
In the circle, freshman Kelly Barnhill and junior Delanie Gourley (16-3), who shouldered the loss, combined to allow six runs (three earned) on seven hits and six walks while they recorded 12 strikeouts. Texas A&M's Trinity Harrington (7-6) pick up the win for the Aggies and Samantha Show earned her third save of the season as she ended Florida's rally in the seventh inning.
 
After Florida hit three home runs in the first two games of this series, the Gators played some small ball to score Sunday's first run and grab an early 1-0 lead on the Aggies.
 
In the top of the second inning, senior Aubree Munro reached first base with a walk, moved to second on a Justine McLean single, took third on a Taylore Fuller sacrifice bunt, and scored on a Kelsey Stewart RBI groundout.
 
Undaunted, Texas A&M answered in the third.
 
The Aggies' Kaitlyn Aldernik led off the bottom of the third with a solo shot to right-center field to knot the game up at one run apiece.
 
Following the home run, Barnhill surrendered a walk and a single, which prompted a pitching change from UF head coach Tim Walton. Junior Delanie Gourley entered the circle and allowed a pair of singles, including an RBI bloop-hit to left by Riley Sartain.
 
With Florida trailing Texas A&M for the first time all weekend, 2-1, the Gators answered with a run in the fourth to tie the game.
 
During that inning, sophomore Kayli Kvistad recorded an RBI single up the middle after Stewart and freshman Amanda Lorenz set the table for her, as they recorded a one-out walk and single to put runners at the corners.
 
In the sixth inning, Texas A&M loaded the bases with no one out and scored four runs on a defensive miscue by the Gators, a wild pitch and an RBI single by Erica Russell.
 
Although Florida was trailing Texas A&M, 6-2, the Gators wouldn't go away quietly.
 
After UF loaded the bases with no one out in the top of the seventh, Nicole DeWitt recorded an RBI walk and sophomore Janell Wheaton followed with an RBI single to cut the A&M lead down to two.
 
But that was as close as Florida would get.
 
Team Notes

• Florida's senior class is now 220-32, which currently ranks tied for fourth among four-year class records in program history.
  • Sitting fourth on this list is UF's 2015 graduating class that went 221-41 throughout its four seasons.
  • Taylore Fuller, Kirsti Merritt, Aubree Munro, Taylor Schwarz and Kelsey Stewart are trying to catch UF's 2011 class which boasted a 238-33 mark during their four years.
• Tim Walton is still just one win away from 600^th victory at Florida.
  • Walton earned his 700^th career win on March 12 at Auburn.
• Sunday's game was broadcast on SEC Network+. Florida is now 25-3 in contests that are streamed online.
• Florida is now 19-4 against unranked opponents this season.

 
Stat Watch

• UF has now outscored its opponents this season, 320-59.
  • In 2015, UF had a plus-270 run differential (367-97) through 51 games.
  • In 2014, UF had a plus-240 run differential (354-114) through 51 games.
• The Gators have made just 23 errors this season and currently sport one of the best fielding percentages (.983) and earned run averages in the nation (0.97). For comparison, Florida had committed 27 errors through 51 contests last season and had a fielding percentage of .979. UF went on to record a .981 fielding percentage and commit just 33 errors, which are both school records.
• Florida's astounding 0.97 team ERA (331.2 IP) would go down as the third-best ERA for a single season in program history if the season ended today.
• Top ERA Season's in UF History:
  • 2008 – 0.92 ERA (512.0 IP)
  • 2009 – 0.69 ERA (444.0 IP)
• Florida's miniscule .162 batting average against (331.2 IP) would go down as the second-best b/avg. for a single season in program history if the season ended today.
• Top B/Avg. Season's in UF History:
  • 2008 – 0.176 b/avg. (512.0 IP)
  • 2009 – 0.161 b/avg. (444.0 IP)
• UF did not allow a stolen base on Sunday, remaining the only team in the SEC who has yet to allow more than three stolen bases in 2016.
  • In addition, three stolen bases is the fewest Florida has allowed in school history through 51 games.
  • Florida's opponents have only attempted to steal nine bases against Aubree Munro and Florida's catchers this season. That mark would shatter Florida's school record of 25 attempts that was set in 2015.
    • In addition, UF's stolen-base-against percentage of 33% (3-9) this season would be the lowest in school history if the season ended today. Florida's 2003 team currently holds that mark as they allowed just 51.7% (31-60) of runners to steal a base safely.

 
Hitting Notes

• Hitting Streak:
  • Kelsey Stewart – seven games (ties season long)
  • Nicole DeWitt – four games (two shy of season long)
  • Amanda Lorenz – four games
  • Kirsti Merritt – three games (two shy of season long)
• After scoring one run on Sunday, Kelsey Stewart is now just three runs shy of Aja Paculba's school record 253.
• Amanda Lorenz recorded her team-leading 11^th double of the season in the seventh inning.
• Kayli Kvistad and Lorenz are challenging for the top on-base percentage in school history, as they each have recorded an OBP of .523 and .513 thus far this season.
  • Bailey Castro set the program record a season ago when she reached base at a .536 clip.
• Lorenz, who's currently hitting .396, is on pace to record the highest batting average for a freshman in school history. In addition, she could become the first rookie in program history to have an on-base percentage over .500.
  • Kelsey Stewart holds the batting title as she hit .378 during her freshman season in 2013.
• Other freshman ranks that Lorenz is climbing into:
  • Runs Scored – T6^th (49)
  • Hits – 7^th (59)
  • Doubles – T-5^th (11)
  • Walks – T-5^th (37)

 
Coaches' Corner
Head Coach Tim Walton:
"We definitely had our opportunities. Give us credit for giving ourselves a chance and an opportunity to tie or win that game in the seventh inning. I think this goes back to our motto, if we've got an inning, out or strike left, than we still have a chance. I think our kids really fought hard to give us that chance."
 
Series History

• Despite today's loss, Florida still leads the all-time series with Texas A&M, 12-4; this includes a 6-3 mark in College Station, Texas.

 
Series Stats

• The Gators batted .345 on the weekend with three home runs and 24 RBI, while its pitching staff compiled a 2.95 earned run average, with 25 strikeouts and seven walks.
• Amanda Lorenz and Nicole DeWitt paced the Gators offense this weekend they hit a combined .500 (10 for 20) with one home run, seven RBI and eight runs scored.
• In the circle, Aleshia Ocasio had a 2.33 ERA as she led Florida with a 1-0 record with one save in nine innings pitched. In addition, Ocasio had six strikeouts and no walks.

 
Next Up
The Gators travel to Tallahassee, Fla. on Wednesday for a midweek game at 5 p.m. against Florida State in the Share a Little Sunshine Showdown. UF and FSU will play its regularly scheduled game first and then finish its contest from April 13 at the conclusion of the first game. ESPN3 will televise the first game and Florida Sports Talk will have the radio broadcast. In addition, a live stats link can be found on the Gators' schedule page.
 
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