Highlights | Recap |  Box Score (PDF)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 7 Florida fell, 6-4, to Mississippi State on Friday night at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
 
The Gators (39-14, 11-11 SEC) were stifled by Bulldogs (31-19, 8-14 SEC) ace Emily Williams (12-7) at the plate, resulting in UF's first loss to MSU since Mar. 29, 2015, in Starkville, Miss.
 
Florida's discipline at the plate was showcased throughout the night as its batters recorded 12 walks, a season high.
 
Despite the quality at-bats, Williams managed to hold UF to one hit. The Gators did manage to load the bases with several walks in both the first and seventh innings to ignite rallies.
 
The biggest rally came in the seventh inning for Florida, when it plated two runs with two outs thanks to three walks before a lightning delay came into effect and delayed the game for almost an hour and a half.
 
After the game resumed, Jaimie Hoover stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Hoover worked the count to get another walk and another run to close the gap, but it wasn't meant to be as Williams struck out Cheyenne Lindsey to end the game.
 
In the circle, Kelly Barnhill (27-10) took the loss while Natalie Lugo worked a strong 4.2 innings of relief. Lugo recorded six strikeouts, allowing one walk, one run and three hits.
 
Florida looks to bounce back against Mississippi State in a doubleheader Saturday, with the first game starting at 4 p.m. It is also Senior Day for the Gators, who will honor their five seniors -- Kelly Barnhill, Amanda Lorenz, Lily Mann, Theresa Swertfager and Alex Voss.

How It Happened - Mississippi State - L, 6-4
 

Inning	Score	Play
T-1st	0-2	With only one away in the first, the Bulldogs struck early with a towering two-run home run to left field by Fa Leilua to score herself and Mia Davidson.
B-1st	1-2	The Gators stayed disciplined at the plate in their half of the first by drawing three walks to quickly load the bases, which ended with Jaimie Hoover drawing a fourth walk to score Amanda Lorenz.
T-2nd	1-4	The Bulldogs extended their lead thanks to another two-run home run. This time it was Sarai Niu hitting a shot to left field to score herself and Montana Davidson.
T-2nd	1-5	The Bulldogs tacked on one more run in the second when Emily Heimberger grounded out to second, which allowed Bevia Robinson to score.
T-3rd	1-6	With the bases loaded, a dropped third strike resulted in the Bulldogs scoring their sixth run of the game. The pitch in the dirt got by Jordan Roberts, allowing Leilua to score.
B-7th	2-6	The Gators stayed patient at the plate in the final inning of play when they loaded the bases with two outs to make some noise. First, a Jordan Roberts walk resulted in Alex Voss scoring.
B-7th	3-6	The next batter up, Hannah Adams, drew a walk that allowed Lorenz to score. The Gators kept the bases loaded with two outs and a lightning delay imminent.
B-7th	4-6	After an almost hour and a half delay, Jaimie Hoover stepped to the plate and earned another walk to bring home Lily Mann.

 
Notable Notes

• Despite the loss tonight, Florida holds a 36-20 record historically over Mississippi State with a 19-9 record at home.
  • Tonight is UF's first loss at home to MSU since Apr. 7, 2013.
• Amanda Lorenz has reached base safely in 14-straight games.
  • Lorenz has now reached base safely in 240 of 251 games in her collegiate career.
• Kendyl Lindaman has now reached base safely in 11-straight games.
• The Gators' 12 walks tonight set a season-high for walks in a single game.
  • The previous season-high was eight, which has happened three times, but most recently against Alabama on Apr. 19, 2019.
• Natalie Lugo's six strikeouts tonight are the most batters she has struck out since her eight strikeouts against Mercer on Mar. 24.
  • Lugo's 4.2 innings pitched is the most innings she's pitched since she threw a complete-game (7.0 innings) on Feb. 28 against New Mexico.
• Tonight's lightning delay in the seventh inning was 1:27 in length.

 
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