GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida softball team fell in its exhibition matchup against the Japan National Team, 8-0, in the first game at the newly-renovated Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Tuesday night. The afternoon started with a ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the gates opening which allowed fans to get their first look at the $15 million renovated facility.
In the exhibition,
Amanda Lorenz and
Jordan Matthews had the Gators only hits on the night as Yamoto Fujita and Nozomi Ozaki combined for six innings of the seven innings of work in the circle for Japan.
Kelly Barnhill,
Danni Farley,
Elizabeth Hightower and
Natalie Lugo all appeared in the circle for the Gators, combining to allow only four extra-base hits.
Barnhill started the game and allowed one earned run while striking out one batter and allowing no walks over three innings pitched.
Florida pitchers only walked one batter over seven innings.
Photo Gallery
How It Happened
| Inning |
Score |
Play |
Top 2nd
|
0-1 |
With two on and one out, Nodoka Harada hit a sac-fly to left field which scored Yamato Fujita to give Japan the lead. |
| Top 4th |
0-3 |
Harada stretched Japan's lead with a 2-run homer to left field which also scored Fujita. |
| Top 5th |
0-4 |
Fujita reached on a fielder's choice after Elizabeth Hightower attempted to tag out Yuka Ichiguchi at home but was unsuccessful. |
| Top 7th |
0-5 |
Saki Yamazaki flied out to centerfield scoring Hitomi Kawabata. |
| Top 7th |
0-6 |
Chiharu Aoki singled past second base scoring Mikiko Eguchi. |
| Top 7th |
0-8 |
Natsuko Sugama doubled off the left field wall scoring Aoki and Fujita. |
Walton's Words
On the first game in the newly-renovated stadium . . .
"It was surreal to be able to look up in the stands and see all of the people in new seats, in new angles, in new locations in the stadium. That was really fun. It was impressive to see the number of people that came out to the pregame ribbon-cutting and to see all of the people in their seats and behind the outfield. There was a lot of cool things to see, so I was super excited. It was one of those hair on my arms standing up type of moment, just kind of surreal, but a cool and exciting feeling."
From the Players
Amanda Lorenz, Senior
On being able to play a team like Japan…
"It's so awesome. It's a really good test for us, especially early in the season. They're one of the best teams in the world and they show that. They simply don't make mistakes and they're really fun to watch. I love competing against them. I've gotten to compete against them a few times with Team USA so it's really fun to compete against a team like that who does things the right way. They're super classy, so it's always really fun."
On playing first base…
"This summer I played first base a little bit with Team USA, so that was my first, kinda, getting thrown into it. I was getting a little more comfortable with it, and then all fall and most of the spring, playing at first base and getting more comfortable. Especially on this beautiful dirt, really not scared of any bad hops or anything because our field is flawless. I'm getting a lot more comfortable, it's really fun, especially playing with Hannah (Adams) right next to me. She makes me feel a lot more comfortable."
On how the loss affects the experience…
"We want to win every game. We're definitely not happy about it, but I think that it's a really good thing for our team because things were going well. It's good to say, hey, you guys aren't as good as you guys think you are, maybe. Just perspective and know that there's a lot of room to get better. Just learning it as practice and know what we have to get better at because we just faced a really, really good opponent."
Kelly Barnhill, Senior
On the opportunity to play a team like Japan . . .
"I think that it's absolutely amazing that we have this opportunity. Like I said, there are some Olympians on that team. And being able to see that high level of play—when you play the best and beat the best, or just play the best in general, you start becoming better and better each time, and I think that's what we did today. I think we learned a lot of stuff about ourselves through this game."
On getting the bullpen involved . . .
"I think it was really important. Not even just—it didn't really matter who you were facing. I think it was just really important to get everyone out there. You know, it's the first game—especially for the freshmen in a brand-new stadium, the first time wearing the uniform in front of all of your fans, your family. You get those little jitters; so, I think it's really important to get everyone out there. I mean, those are probably the best hitters were going to see all year; so, if you hold your own against them, you can probably hold your own against anybody."
Notable Notes
- Team Japan is ranked No. 2 in the World Baseball Softball Confederation rankings behind Team USA.
- This is the first time the Gators have played an international team.
Next Up
The Gators return to their regular season schedule and Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium tomorrow to take on UNF at 6 p.m.
