GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 4 Florida opens Southeastern Conference action against No. 7 Tennessee at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium March 8-10. The series between the Gators and the Lady Vols is the only Top-10 matchup during SEC Opening Weekend.
The Gators (21-2) enter conference play having faced seven opponents ranked in the Top 25 and boast a 5-2 record, while the Lady Vols have only taken on two Top 25 opponents and fell in each contest against No. 23 James Madison, 6-2, and No. 1 Florida State, 5-2.
Meanwhile UF has defeated No. 19 Michigan, No. 7 Arizona, No. 20 Oregon, No. 14 Arizona State and No. 5 Washington. The only two losses against ranked opponents came at the hands of No. 2 UCLA in Fullerton, Calif.
Fans can listen to Florida this weekend via the radio on WGGG (92.1 FM/1230 AM) & WMOP (100.1 FM/900 AM) as Ryan Urquhart will have the call Friday and Saturday, then will be joined by Kyle Crooks Sunday.
Notable Notes
Barnhill Closing In On Strikeout Milestone
Senior
Kelly Barnhill is fast approaching a milestone that only one other Florida pitcher has achieved over her career. The Marietta, Ga. native currently sits with 951 strikeouts which makes her just 49 shy of reaching 1,000 for her career.
Only Stacey Nelson (2006-'09) has eclipsed the 1,000-strikeout mark and she is the current UF record holder with 1,116.
Walk It Out
Senior
Amanda Lorenz's eye at the plate throughout her career has not only resulted in hits, but she has taken advantage of the walk. Against Syracuse at the Bubly Invitational, the Moorpark, Calif. native drew her 187th career walk to become UF's all-time leader in the category. Former Gator
Kayli Kvistad (2015-'18) held the previous record with 186.
The senior is also is the active NCAA leader in the category with 191 free passes and the next closest player sitting at 133 in Tennessee's Aubrey Leach.
National Leaders
Barnhill and Lorenz lead the nation in several categories so far this season. Barnhill currently leads the country in wins (12) and strikeouts (101), while Lorenz is tied for the lead in hits (31).
Strength of Schedule
The Gators have so far played seven games against opponents ranked inside the Top 25 and currently hold a 5-2 record. All of the games so far this season against ranked opponents so far have been played on the road as a neutral site game or true road contest.
Throughout the course of the season UF is scheduled to play 19 more games against Top 25 competition.
February Road Warriors
In February, the Gators played 24 games, including an exhibition against Japan, in 23 days. The team also traveled over 10,340 miles during that stretch with trips to Tampa, Jacksonville, Tempe, Ariz. and Fullerton, Calif.
Opposition Overview
| No. 7 Tennessee |
|
|
|
| Co-Head Coach |
Ralph Weekly (18th Season at UT) |
| Career Record at UT |
866-261-2 (.767) |
| Co-Head Coach |
Karen Weekly (18th Season at UT) |
| Career Record at UT |
866-261-2 (.767) |
| All-Time Record vs. |
50-26 |
| Streak |
Won Last Meeting |
|
|
| Last Meeting |
W, 10-2 (5 Innings)
Columbia, Mo. – SEC Tournament |
|
History vs. Tennessee | Last 10 Results |
|
|
|
|
| Date |
Location |
W/L |
Score |
| 3/30/14 |
Knoxville, Tenn. |
L |
5-2 |
| 5/8/15 |
Baton Rouge, La. |
L |
2-1 |
| 5/28/15 |
Oklahoma City, Okla. |
W |
7-2 |
| 3/18/16 |
Gainesville, Fla. |
W |
5-0 |
| 3/19/16 |
Gainesville, Fla. |
W |
4-2 |
| 3/20/16 |
Gainesville, Fla. |
W |
3-0 |
| 4/28/17 |
Knoxville, Tenn. |
W |
5-0 |
| 4/29/17 |
Knoxville, Tenn. |
W |
9-0 |
| 4/30/17 |
Knoxville, Tenn. |
L |
5-1 |
| 5/11/18 |
Columbia, Mo. |
W |
10-2 (5) |
Weekend Schedule
| Friday |
No. 7 Tennessee |
6 p.m. (ET) |
| Saturday |
No. 7 Tennessee |
1 p.m. (ET) |
| Sunday |
No. 7 Tennessee |
12 p.m. (ET) |
FOLLOW THE GATORS
FloridaGators.com
Twitter
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Facebook
