UF Softball: Gators Welcome Back Team USA for Exhibition Contest
Photo By: Elyse Knapp
Courtesy of University Athletic Association
BY HERB BROOKS
Florida softball and head coach Tim Walton along with USA Softball have announced that the Gators and the 2021 USA Softball Women’s National Team (WNT) will compete in an exhibition contest at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium Tuesday, March 16, at 6 p.m. on SEC Network +.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to host Team USA again,” Head Coach Tim Walton said. “Last year was such a great experience, not only for our current players and fans, but it was also a special moment for Michelle, Kelsey, and Aubree to be able come back and play on their home field. Now they’re getting to do it again for a second time, but I can imagine that it’ll still be just as special as the first. We’re also looking forward to going up against the world’s top-ranked team again, because this game is going to help us find out more about ourselves as a team by going up against some of the world’s best softball players, and that’s exciting.”
Just last season, Gator Greats Michelle Moultrie (2009-12), Kelsey Stewart (2013-16) and Aubree Munro (2013-16) were welcomed back to KSP Stadium for the first time since their Orange & Blue playing careers concluded. Florida took Team USA down to the wire in last year’s exhibition, but eventually fell 5-3 to the world’s No. 1-ranked team.
Moultrie, Stewart, and Munro secured spots on the Red, White and Blue’s Olympic roster during the selection trials in October 2019 and will compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this upcoming summer. They will also be the first softball players in program history to represent the Gators at the Olympics.
With numerous program records and accolades, Moultrie, Munro, and Stewart solidified themselves as some of the best at their positions in program history. Throughout their careers as Gators, the group helped the program achieve 445 wins and a .854 winning percentage, along with two national championships (2014 & 2015), four Southeastern Conference regular season titles (2009, 2013, 2015 & 2016), and six Women’s College World Series appearances.
Ticket information regarding the addition of the Team USA exhibition game will be communicated to 2021 ticket holders soon.