It’s been rinse and repeat for Florida softball so far this postseason.
The Gators secured a top eight seed for the third year in a row. It swept through its seventh-consecutive home regional, defeating Florida A&M and Georgia Tech by a combined score of 25-2.
Now, No. 6 seed UF (51-10) is hosting the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional once again in a bid to reach its 14th Women’s College World Series, and coach Tim Walton said Thursday Florida wants to be playing its best softball right now, and the regional was a positive step.
“As you build a program, and you want everyone you recruit to have the opportunity to compete at the highest level, and that’s what this is going to be” Walton said.
However, No. 11 Texas Tech (55-6) isn’t phased by the Gators. Star pitcher NiJaree Canady led the Red Raiders to a road sweep of Florida State in Super Regionals last season and all the way to the championship series of the WCWS.
“It’s nothing new at this point. We’ve been to Florida. We’ve won in Florida, so it’s just trying to repeat the same thing,” Canady said.
First pitch for Game 1 is set for 11 a.m. from Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Here’s live updates for the battle.
Florida softball vs Texas Tech Game 1 NCAA Gainesville Super Regional live updates
Florida softball cuts the lead in half | B5
Jocelyn Erickson gets a heads-up two out double to take advantage of some laziness in the infield from Mia Williams. Ava Brown then hits a two run homer, and Townsen Thomas follows it up with a homer of her own. Kendall Grover doubled, but Kenleigh Cahalan flies out to end the inning. Still the Gators have cut the lead in half and now trail 7-4.
Katelynn Oxley in for Florida | T5
Tim Walton takes Miller out of the game after Quiroga’s home run and brings in Katelynn Oxley to face the top of the lineup, beginning with Mia Williams.
Another home run for the Red Raiders | T5
Lagi Quiroga hits a home run over the scoreboard to extend the Texas Tech lead. Red Raiders lead 7-1 with two outs in the top of the fifth.
Texas Tech softball blows game open | T5
Olivia Miller puts runners on first and second with one out, and Lauren Allred makes her pay with a three-run home run to left-center. Red Raiders now have a 6-1 lead in the top of the fifth.
Olivia Miller enters the game for Florida softball | T5
Miller sees her first action of the NCAA postseason. The lefty last pitched two weeks ago vs. Alabama in the SEC Tournment semifinals. Keagan Rothrock leaves after allowing no earned runs and five hits in four innings.
Former Florida basketball, NBA star Jason Williams briefly removed from game | T4
As if there wasn’t enough drama on the field, Jason Williams — father of former Gators softball player and current Texas Tech second baseman Mia Williams — was removed from the game. Williams was shortly let back in by UFPD after he claimed his daughter was hit by a Florida fan. After further consulation with UFPD, the fan was removed from the game for good.
Texas Tech scores three to take the lead | T4
Fielding woes continue for the Gators as Kenleigh Cahalan just can’t field two ground balls. A ball also went by Madison Walker in an earlier at-bat in the inning. In total, the Red Raiders record three doubles, which score three runs. Gators now trail 3-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth.
Clutch defense gets Florida out of the third | T3
After a leadoff single, a double play orchestrated by Kenleigh Cahalan puts two outs on the board, and Kendall Grover makes a great throw to first to end the inning. Gators go down in order, though, in the bottom of the third. 1-0 UF leads through three.
Lovebugs impacting game early | B2
Gainesville’s least favorite bug is attacking the Gators game once again. Texas Tech players were seen swatting them away during lineup introductions.
Texas Tech leaves two runners on again | T2
A hit and an error puts runners on first and second with one out. Rothrock, though, gets pinch hitter Desirae Spearman and Mia Williams to fly out to end the potential damage.
Gators strike first | B1
Kendall Grover singles home Taylor Shumaker from second, who walked to begin the inning. Gators take a 1-0 lead after the first inning as Shumaker scores her 88th run of the season, moving her three away from the program record.
Rothrock escapes the inning for Florida softball | T1
Kaitlyn Terry hits a deep fly ball that, if there was a little bit more wind, would have been gone. Instead, Taylor Shumaker catches it at the warning track. Texas Tech leaves two runners on.
Mia Williams hit on first pitch of the game | T1
Keagan Rothrock hits Mia Williams, her former teammate, on the arm on her first pitch of the game.
Florida softball vs Texas Tech Game 1 NCAA Gainesville Super Regional starting lineups
Florida
Keagan Rothrock is the starting pitcher.
Texas Tech
Kaitlyn Terry is the starting pitcher. LF Logan Halleman will not hit.
When is Florida softball vs Texas Tech in Game 1 of NCAA Gainesville Super Regional?
Location: Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
What channel is Florida softball vs Texas Tech in Game 1 of NCAA Gainesville Super Regional?
Friday’s debut in the Florida softball vs. Texas Tech Super Regional will air on ESPN2, with Saturday’s game on ABC — a first for Florida this season. Both ESPN2 and ABC can be streamed on platforms such as Fubo, which offers a free trial.
How to listen to Florida softball vs Texas Tech in Game 1 of NCAA Gainesville Super Regional
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 down big to Texas Tech after big fourth, fifth innings
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
