Friday, February 9
Tampa, Fla.
4:45 PM
Florida Gators
vs
Illinois State
Florida returns a total of four NFCA All-Americans to the roster for 2018.
No. 2 Gators Set to Open 2018 at USF Wilson-DeMarini
Thursday, February 8, 2018 | Softball
Live Stats | Audio
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 2-ranked Florida softball team opens up the 2018 regular season Friday, Feb. 9, at the USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament. Last year the program finished as the national runner-up to Oklahoma at the Women's College World Series – it was the Gators eighth overall appearance at the WCWS.
For the fifth consecutive season, the Gators first opponent will be Illinois State. The Friday afternoon 4:45 p.m. contest precedes games against No. 18 Michigan, Georgia State, UAB and USF.
The Gators return 13 letterwinners from last season, including a trio of 2017 NFCA All-Americans (Kelly Barnhill, Amanda Lorenz, Kayli Kvistad) and a 2016 NFCA All-American (Aleshia Ocasio). After winning the program's third consecutive Southeastern Conference regular season championship, Florida was picked as the favorite to win the 2018 conference title.
Every game this weekend will be broadcast on WGGG (92.1 FM/1230 AM) & WMOP (100.1 FM/900 AM). Kyle Crooks and former Gator softball standout Kelsey Horton will have the call Friday then followed up by Ryan Urquhart and Horton Saturday and Sunday.
A live video stream of Sunday's game against the USF will be produced for a fee via Bulls Vision.
Opposition Overview
| Illinois State | |
| Head Coach | Melinda Fischer (33rd Season) |
| Career Record | 1,053-752-4 |
| All-Time Record vs. | 8-2 (.800) |
| Streak | Won Last 8 |
| Last Meeting | Feb. 10, 2017 - W, 9-0 (5 Innings) USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament (Tampa, Fla.) |
| No.18 Michigan | |
| Head Coach | Carol Hutchins (34th Season) |
| Career Record | 1,527-491-5 |
| All-Time Record vs. | 10-9 (.526) |
| Streak | Won Last 3 |
| Last Meeting | Feb. 11, 2017 - W, 2-1 (10 Innings) USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament (Tampa, Fla.) |
| Georgia State | |
| Head Coach | Roger Kincaid (10th Season; 8th as HC) |
| Career Record | 247-163 |
| All-Time Record vs. | First Meeting |
| Streak | First Meeting |
| UAB | |
| Head Coach | Amanda Ellis (1st Season) |
| Career Record | 0-0 |
| All-Time Record vs. | 3-0 (1.000) |
| Streak | Won Last 3 |
| Last Meeting | Feb. 19, 2016 - W, 8-0 (5 Innings) Diamond 9 Citrus Classic (Orlando, Fla.) |
| USF | |
| Head Coach | Ken Eriksen (22nd Season) |
| Career Record | 895-460 |
| All-Time Record vs. | 45-13 (.776) |
| Streak | Won Last 12 |
| Last Meeting | Mar. 22, 2017 - W, 8-0 (5 Innings) (Gainesville, Fla.) |
USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament Schedule
| 2/9 | vs. Illinois State | 4:45 p.m. |
| 2/10 | vs. Michigan | 11 a.m. |
| 2/10 | vs. Georgia State | 1:15 p.m. |
| 2/11 | vs. UAB | 1:30 p.m. |
| 2/11 | at USF | 4:15 p.m. |
USF Softball Stadium
11899 USF Bull Run Drive
Tampa, FL 33617
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