UF Softball: No. 4 Gators Cap Comeback in Walk-Off Fashion Against Aggies
Photo by Jordan McKendrick
Courtesy of University Athletic Association
BY HERB BROOKS
No. 4 Florida opened the series against Texas A&M in walk-off fashion as the team took game one, 5-3, Friday evening at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The Gators (38-8, 17-5 SEC) etched their third comeback victory over the last four games via a walk-off, three-run home run from Charla Echols (2-for-4) in the bottom of the 7th inning against the Aggies (31-18, 8-14 SEC).
Down 3-2 heading into the final frame of play, Cheyenne Lindsey (1-for-2) drew a leadoff walk from starting pitcher Makinzy Herzog (12-5), which turned the lineup over to the top of the order. Hannah Adams (1-for-3) then followed with a walk to move Lindsey, the tying run, into scoring position.
Herzog managed to induce an infield fly for the first out of the inning, but Echols stepped into the box with an air of confidence that she could come through for the Gators. The Newnan, Ga. native battled to a 2-2 count until she was able to drive the pitch the wanted over the center field wall for her team-leading 12th homer of the year.
The Gators comeback was the largest of the season as the squad was down 3-0 heading into the bottom of the 3rd inning.
The Aggies were able to scratch across an unearned run in the 2nd inning on a Kayla Garcia RBI single up the middle and added two more in the following inning thanks to a Bre Warren two-RBI single, also up the middle.
Florida was able to bounce back in the home half of the 3rd inning and close down the Texas A&M lead to 3-2 via a flurry of hits. Lindsey led off the frame with a double off the diving glove of the Aggies left fielder, and Adams produced a double to left center that scored Lindsey easily from second for the first run.
Kendyl Lindaman (1-for-4) drove in Adams in the next at-bat with an RBI single to right field, and the Gators were poised to open up the game as they eventually loaded the bases, but Herzog was able to work her way out of the jam without any further damage.
Texas A&M looked to respond after Florida’s rally with one of their own and was able to put the first two runners on base, but the Gators called Katie Chronister (8-2) out of the bullpen to quell the effort.
Chronister shut down the Aggies offense for the following 4.0 innings as she did not allow a hit, struck out four, and issued only two walks in her 18th relief appearance of the season.
The Gators and the Aggies take the field Saturday at 4 p.m. (ET) for game two of the series at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The game will be streamed live via the SEC Network +.