The SEC slate might state this is a “bye week” for Florida softball, but the schedule indicates something else.
The Gators, in fact, do not have the weekend off. Instead, in-state bragging rights will be on the line.
No. 5/8 UF welcomes in No. 22/21 UCF to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, with a return visit to UCF Softball Stadium in Orlando Saturday.
Florida’s quest to be the king of the Sunshine State embarked on a bumpy start Wednesday. It fell 3-1 to No. 10/13 Florida State in Tallahassee on Wednesday.
Taylor Shumaker led the game off with a solo home run, but the Gator offense went far from dormant. UF put runners on base in every inning besides the sixth and seventh. Ava Brown grounded into a double play with the bases loaded in the third inning and runners on first and second in the fifth. In the fourth, Jocelyn Erickson popped out with runners on first and third.
In the circle, Keagan Rothrock pitched well, except she fell victim to Isa Torres — potential National Player of the Year — who hit two home runs.
As for UCF, it defeated North Florida in its midweek 4-1. In conference play, the Knights have lost just one series — just like Florida. It was a sweep to Texas Tech, but Central Florida has won road series at Oklahoma State and Arizona State and home vs. Kansas. All three teams were ranked at the time.
Point is, UCF is a formidable opponent, and it’ll be a fascinating home-and-home.
Florida softball vs UCF live updates
Gators explode in fifth inning | B5
Taylor Shumaker bombs a leadoff home run to start the inning, and when all was said and done, the Gators led UCF 7-0. Two runs came courtesy of a Knights error, and a wild pitch from Central Florida pitcher Ava Stuewe. Then, Ava Brown hit her second home run since returning from injury to extend the lead to 7-0.
Keagan Rothrock in a groove for Florida softball | T5
For the fourth inning of five, Rothrock puts the lead-off runner on base. She once again, though, works out of trouble. Just three hits for the Knights through five innings.
Kendall Grover puts Florida softball on top | B3
Grover becomes the fifth Gator this season with 10 home runs as she blasts a two-run home run over the left center field to score Jocelyn Erickson. Florida takes a 2-0 lead over UCF.
Florida softball vs UCF starting lineups
Florida
UCF
Florida softball vs UCF start times
Game 1: Friday, April 24, 6 p.m. ET
Game 2: Saturday, April 25, 6 p.m. ET
How to watch Florida softball vs UCF
The first game will stream on SEC Network+, with the second on ESPN+. Ryan Urquhart and former Gator Aleshia Ocasio will be on the call from Gainesville, and Eric Lopez and Alex Powers will announce from Orlando.
Florida softball vs UCF history
The Gators are 25-7 all-time vs. the Knights (17-3 in Gainesville and 7-4 in Orlando). Last season, the two teams split the two matchups, both shutouts. Central Florida beat Florida 4-0 in Orlando and UF defeated the Knights 3-0 in Gainesville. The Gators have won six of the last 10 matchups with UCF.
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 UCF live updates as Gators play top 25 home and home
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
