No. 3 Florida’s Hightower blanks UC Riverside

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The No. 3 Florida softball group defeated UC Riverside, 7-0, Friday afternoon through the second day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Basic held on the Massive League Goals park.

The Gators (11-1) responded with seven runs on 11 hits within the recreation towards the Highlanders (6-8), who notched solely 5 hits due to the complete-game effort from the circle by Elizabeth Hightower (6-0). The Monticello, Fla. native’s complete-game was the third of the season, twenty sixth of her profession, and the second complete-game shutout of the yr.

The Florida offense jumped out to an early 5-0 lead over UC Riverside within the 1st inning of play with 5 runs on 4 hits. Sophomore Kendra Falby kick-started the rally with an infield single to shortstop, stole second, superior to 3rd on a throwing error, and scored on an RBI single by Sam Roe.

Charla Echols adopted with a stroll and Reagan Walsh was hit by an 0-1 providing within the subsequent at-bat to load the bases. From there the Gators, picked up an RBI stroll from freshman Olivia Gigante and a two-RBI single from Avery Goelz. The offense produced yet one more runs through a bases loaded RBI fielder’s alternative from Sarah Longley.

The Gators prolonged their lead out to 7-0 within the backside of the 2nd inning of motion. Echols led off the body with a single to left, which was adopted up by a single to proper hit by Walsh. Gigante loaded the bases with one out to set the desk for Kaila Pollard. Pollard drove in each Echols and Walsh together with her second hit of the sport, which this time was a two-RBI double down the fitting discipline line.

Total, Walsh led the way in which on the plate going 3-for-3 and two runs scored, whereas Pollard (2-for-3) and Falby (2-for-4) every collected a pair of hits.

Florida returns to motion Saturday, Feb. 24, with a pair of video games towards No. 22 Oregon and Cal State Fullerton. The Gators will tackle the Geese at 10 a.m. (PT)/1 p.m. (ET) and the Titans at 12:30 p.m. (PT)/3:30 p.m. (ET).

Notables:

• Florida’s shutout was the fifth of the season for this system and the second complete-game shutout thrown by Elizabeth Hightower.
  – Over Hightower’s profession she has thrown 27 full video games and 17 complete-game shutouts.
• Kendra Falby stole her eighth base of the season within the backside of the first inning of play.
  – Falby additionally went 2-for-4 and has recorded successful in 11 of the 12 video games performed this season.
• Avery Goelz notched a base hit within the recreation towards the Highlanders and has recorded successful in 10 of the 12 video games performed thus far this yr.
• Kaila Pollard’s two hits is a career-high for the freshman from Riverside, Calif. She additionally tied her career-high with two-RBI, which she has performed thrice this season.
• Reagan Walsh tied her career-high with three hits within the win and its her third multi-hit recreation of the season.