Florida softball holds one last chance to make a statement in the regular season.
The No. 6/8 Gators travel to No. 14/17 Georgia for a massive series to wrap up SEC play.
Much is at stake on the dirt of Jack Turner Stadium in Athens. For the SEC Tournament, the Gators can still win the SEC regular season title with a sweep and Oklahoma losing two of three at Texas A&M. UF is currently tied for second with Alabama but hold the tiebreaker. Suffering a sweep to the Bulldogs can push Florida to as low as No. 7 in the tournament.
The Bulldogs are currently No. 9 in the SEC. They can’t move above No. 8, but they can fall to as low as No. 13. The top four seeds receive a double bye to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament, while the top eight get a bye to the second round.
As for NCAA Tournament seeding, Tuesday’s win over Florida State likely clinched a top eight seed for the Gators. A series win could push UF into the top four. Georgia, meanwhile, is right on the bubble of hosting a regionals.
UGA is right about average in conference play. It won series over weaker competition like Kentucky and Missouri, but it has lost tough series to Arkansas, Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma. The ‘Dawgs are coming off a sweep in Norman.
Florida softball vs Georgia Game 1 live updates
Townsen Thomas ties game | T4
Thomas hits a two out home run to tie the game in the top of the fourth.
Georgia strikes first vs. Florida softball | B3
Leadoff hitter Jaydyn Goodwin hits a solo home run just over right field. Gators trail the Bulldogs 1-0 through three in Athens.
Florida softball scoreless through two | B2
Gators get an Ava Brown walk in the second but remain hitless vs. Randi Roelling and the Bulldogs. Georgia with a hit each in the first and second innings, but that’s it.
Florida softball vs Georgia Game 1 starting lineups
Florida
Starting pitcher is Keagan Rothrock.
Georgia
Starting pitcher is Randi Roelling.
Florida softball vs Georgia start times
Game 1: Thursday, April 30, 6 p.m.
Game 2: Friday, May 1, 6 p.m.
Game 3: Saturday, May 2, 12 p.m.
How to watch Florida softball vs Georgia
Games 1 and 2 will be streamed on SEC Network+. Game 3 will be on ESPN. Thursday and Saturday’s games will air on 98.1 FM/850 AM, with Friday’s game on FloridaGators.com. Ryan Urquhart and Sky Lebron will be on the call. Program legend Kelly Barnhill will join the radiocast in the second inning of Thursday’s game.
Florida softball vs Georgia history
In the regular season, Florida has had Georgia’s number since Tim Walton’s arrival. The Gators have won five of their last six series in Athens and hold a 49-33 all-time record vs. the Bulldogs. Of course, many of their legendary matchups have come in Super Regionals.
The ‘Dawgs have been a thorn in the Gators side. They upended successful UF seasons in 2016 and 2021 to go to OKC. In fact, the last time Florida lost a Super Regional to a team that wasn’t Georgia was 2007. The orange and blue finally received their revenge last season.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida softball vs Georgia live updates, TV, game times for SEC series
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
