After a highly emotional three-game series on the field and in the stands, everyone waited to see the reaction between Florida softball and Texas Tech during their postgame handshakes on Sunday, May 24.
It never transpired.
The Gators and Red Raiders did not participate in the postgame handshake line that is customary after the ending of a series in NCAA Softball postseason. TTU defeated UF 16-7 in five innings to win the Gainesville Super Regional and advance to the Women’s College World Series
Texas Tech, which remained on the field in celebration, lined up near home plate for the handshakes. Florida, though, chose to remain in the dugout and ultimately head into the locker room.
Gator coach Tim Walton said postgame he had no idea what happened. Walton was ejected earlier in the inning for arguing balls and strikes and was already in the locker room himself.
However, when informed of what happened, the coach said he supported the decision due to the tension of the series.
“Maybe that was for the better better with the anxiety of the series,” Walton said. “On TV, they were saying there might be a bench-clearing brawl. Never seen that in softball in my life.”
When asked about the same topic, Red Raider coach Gerry Glasco paused for a couple of seconds, tried to gather his words, and instead said “I’m proud of my team.”
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: What Florida, Texas Tech coaches said of not shaking hands after Super Regional
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
