UF Softball: No. 6 Gators Rally Late; Drop Series to No. 10 Ragin’ Cajuns

Courtesy of UF Athletic Association

In the marquee non-conference matchup, No. 6 Florida dropped the series finale against No. 10 Louisiana, 7-6, Sunday afternoon at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

The Gators (17-4) jumped out in front early, 4-0, for the second consecutive game against the Ragin’ Cajuns (14-5) and were poised to take the series until a late rally by Louisiana foiled the effort.

Louisiana made its move in the 6^th & 7^th innings and capitalized on a pair of two-out rallies to take the lead, 7-4, and secure the series win.

Florida’s offense was prepared to rally in response in the final frame of the game, as Hannah Adams led off with a hit-by-pitch and was driven home with Charla Echols’ monstrous home run that landed in the oak trees beyond the right field wall. However, Louisiana’s Summer Ellyson (9-1) settled down in the circle to register the final two outs.

Junior Natalie Lugo (6-2) put on a strong showing from the circle through the first 5.0 innings, as she held the Ragin’ Cajuns lineup to just one run on five hits with eight strikeouts. The West Covina, Calif. native went on to finish the game with 11 total strikeouts, which is the second game this season she has registered 10 or more, before Katie Chronister entered for the final out in the 7^th inning.

Offensively, seven different Gators picked up a hit, with Lindaman, Echols, and Roberts each responsible for RBI.

Notable Notes

• Florida fell to 6-7 overall in the all-time series with Louisiana.
• The team now holds a 4-4 record on the season against Top 25 opponents.
  • All-Time USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll Record | 328-251
    • Under Walton | 264-122
  • All-Time ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll Record | 286-162
    • Under Walton | 260-124
• Lindaman now has reached base safely in all 21 games so far this season and has produced a hit in 19 of those games.
  • She cranked her 5^th home run of the season in the bottom of the 2^nd inning.
    • Four of her five home runs have been against Top-25 competition.
• Hannah Adams and Charla Echols have reached base safely in 20 of the 21 games played this season.
• Goddard drew a hit-by-pitch with two outs in the 5^th inning and has now been hit 13 times on the season.
• Lugo picked up her second game of the season with 10 or more strikeouts as she sat down 11 Ragin’ Cajuns in the game.
  • This is also the third game this season that Florida as a team has struck out 10 or more opposing batters and now hold a 2-1 record in those games.

Next Up

The Gators welcome Florida Gulf Coast to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium for a solo midweek contest Wednesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. The game is set to be streamed via SEC Network + and broadcast over the radio on WGGG (92.1 FM/1230 AM) & WMOP (100.1 RM/900AM).