OKLAHOMA CITY — Florida secured a spot in the finals of the Women's College World Series with a 5-2 victory over Washington on Sunday at USA Hall of Fame Stadium. The Gators had seven hits on the day, while left-hander Delanie Gourley limited the Huskies to just two.
Overall, Florida is now 13-1 at the WCWS since 2014, which is the most wins in the country during that span.
BRACKET: Interactive 2017 WCWS bracket
Sophomore Kayli Kvistad wasted no time giving Florida the lead on Sunday as she mashed a one-out solo home run in the top of the first inning. The long ball was Kvistad's second in as many at-bats, as she hit one in the seventh inning against LSU on Friday.
Gourley's OKC Resume:
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) June 4, 2017
2014 - Championship Clinching Win Over Bama
2015 - Save in Game 1 of Championship Series
2017 - Win over UW today pic.twitter.com/059OqSo5ff
Florida pushed its lead to four runs in the second, when the Gators scored three times on four hits.
Seniors Chelsea Herndon and Justine McLean got things going with a walk and an infield single, respectively. Sophomore Amanda Lorenz continued her impressive NCAA tournament run with an RBI single up the middle.
Florida allowed its first two runs in Oklahoma City in the seventh but still beat Washington 5-2.
UF added its fifth and final tally of the game in the fifth inning when Janell Wheaton recorded her fifth RBI of the College World Series. Nicole DeWitt scored on the play as she reached base on a bunt single and moved into scoring positon via a sacrifice bunt.
That cushion was more than enough for Gourley, as she allowed just two hits and one walk while she struck out 10 Huskies.
Washington's two runs, both unearned, came with two out in the bottom of the seventh after a Florida error that would have ended the game. UW's next batter, Julia DuPonte, followed with a two-run homer.
MOVING ON!!
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) June 4, 2017
What a special group this is and special season we're having. #GoGators #WCWS pic.twitter.com/lnONZx4AOK
Sunday marked Gourley's first career start and fifth appearance in the WCWS. Overall, the Lakeside, California, native is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and one save in Oklahoma City, as she has allowed just four hits in 11 innings pitched. In addition to Sunday's win, her other victory came in the Gators national championship-clinching win in 2014 against Alabama and her save came in Game 1 of the 2015 Championship Series against Michigan.
Florida will make its fifth championship series appearance since 2009, which is the most in the country during that span.
NOTABLES
- During Tim Walton's tenure as head coach, UF is 75-25 in NCAA play and 25-12 at the WCWS.
- Amanda Lorenz is now 14-for-28 in NCAA tournament with seven RBIs.
- In addition, she's 5-for-10 at the College World Series.
- Kayli Kvistad is now 10-for 26 in the NCAA tournament (.385) and has two home runs and five RBIs in Oklahoma City.
- Delanie Gourley has not allowed an earned run since April 15 at Kentucky.
- Florida has scored more runs (20) in three WCWS games than it did in five of seven three-game SEC series this season.
UP NEXT
Florida will face Oklahoma or Oregon Monday night at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN for Game 1 of the NCAA WCWS Championship Series.
