KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The top-ranked Gators swept a doubleheader on Sunday to close out the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic, defeating Maryland 16-0 (5 innings) and Radford 7-0 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Both wins were one-hitters by the Gators pitching staff, as Hannah Rogers and Alyssa Bache combined to shut down the Terrapins, while Delanie Gourley pitched a complete game against the Highlanders. Rogers improved to 8-0 on the season, while Gourley ran her record to 7-0.
The Gators started fast against Maryland, scoring six runs in the opening inning. Highlights included a three-run home run by Bailey Castro and an RBI double by Stephanie Tofft. The other runs in the inning came on a bases-loaded walk by Justine McLean and a fielder’s choice by Kelsey Stewart.
Florida added three more runs in the second inning with a two-run double from Kathlyn Medina and a sacrifice fly from Stewart. The Gators put an exclamation point on the game with seven runs in the fourth inning, starting with a two-run single by Lauren Haeger. Tofft drew a bases-loaded walk three batters later to score Haeger before Medina logged another RBI single. Briana Little forced in a run when she drew a pinch-hit walk, and Aubree Munro did the same to put the Gators ahead 16-0, producing the final margin as Bache set the Terrapins down in order to seal the win.
Against the Highlanders, Stewart led off with a walk, stole second and then scored on Haeger’s sac fly. Florida added two more runs in the third with a two-run double from Tofft. Stewart continued the scoring in the fourth with an RBI single and then scored from second on a bunt single by Merritt to put the Gators up 5-0.
In the fifth, Castro’s leadoff homer and an RBI single by Chelsea Herndon finished the scoring in support of Gourley, who allowed a single in the third as her only hit of the day.