Florida Gators

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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.
 

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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.)

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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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