USF Softball Takes on the Gators

It's the third and final day of the 2012 opening tournament for the USF Bulls.  The ladies enter the final day of the tournament with a record of 3-0 and now face one of their toughest test, a game against the second ranked Gators. 

UF enters the game with a record of 3-0 as well, exploding on offense in all three of their victories.  They are coming off of a incredible 2011 season where they finished 56-13, including 12-3 away from home.  They lost some of their power hitters from last season, but have a loaded lineup that will prove to be a huge challenge for the Bulls (game starts at 1:30PM).

The Gators are led by senior center fielder Michelle Moultire (5-4).  So far she is 3 of 7 to start the season.  She hit .443 last season with 6 home runs, drove in 40 RBIs, and was 31 out of 40 in steal attempts.  Junior catcher Brittany Schutte (5-10) hit .326 with 22 home runs and drove in 69 RBIs (big time power threat).  She is 4 of 7 with 4 RBIs to start the season, so she is off to a great start.

Sophomore short stop Cheyenne Coyle (5-6) hit .318 with 17 home runs and drove in 60 RBIs last season.  She is hitting 4 for 8 to start to begin the season with 2 home runs and has driven in 7 runs (big time power threat).  Junior catcher/utility infielder Kelsey Horton (5-10) hit .277 with 7 home runs and drove in 20 runs.  She is 3 for 7 so far with one home run.  Sophomore utility player Kasey Fagan (5-10) hit .247 with 5 home runs, drove in 22 runs, and was 16 of 19 in steals.  She is off to an insane start going 8 for 9 to begin the year, so the Bulls have to keep her off the bases. The Gators have a very deep batting order that possess a lot of home run threats, so the Bulls will have to pitch carefully and keep the ball in the yard.

The Gator pitching staff also returns two strong arms, including sophomore right hander Hannah Rogers (5-10).  Rogers went 36-8 last season, working 265.2 innings, allowing 205 hits, walking 70, striking out 221 while holding opponents to a .210 batting average and a 1.92 ERA.   She is 2-0 to start the season with 5 hits allowed in 9 innings of work, walking 4 batters and struck out14 batters. Junior RHP Ensley Gammel (5-7) went 0-2 last year with a 8.40 ERA.  She made 10 appearances, working 23.1 innings, allowing 29 hits, 29 walks, struck out 18 batters and allowed opponents to hit .302 against her.

This is going to be a tough match-up for the Bulls and an early season test against one of the best teams in the nation.  USF will need their pitchers at their best and will have to swing away in order to beat the Gators.