USF Takes on the Gators Needing One More Win to Advance

The Bulls enter the game with a 47-11 record and are 2-0 in the Gainesville region, meaning they need just one more win to advance to the super regionals (would be for the second time in program history).  The road there won't be easy as the 5th seeded Gators, who batted 6 home runs in their two elimination games yesterday, are the team that stands in the way (48-12 overall this season).  The Bull beat the Gators this season in their home stadium and need to do it one more time to keep the season rolling (if they have to play a second game it would begin at 3:30PM).

The Gators (who are without the Fagan sisters and Coyle in their batting order) are led by senior centerfielder Michell Moultrie (5-4) who batted .376 during the regular season with 10 home runs, 29 RBIs, and had 21 steals on the season.  Junior utility player/catcher Kelsey Horton (5-10) batted .310 with 11 home runs, 9 doubles, and had 40 RBIs on the season.  Freshman Lauren Haeger (5-11) batted .303 with 11 home runs and had 47 RBIs when she was not pitching.  Katie Medina batted .245 with 8 RBIs as well.  Even without the Fagan sisters and Coyle in their batting order, UF is loaded with firepower that will pressure Nevins and the USF defense to keep them off the bases.

The Gator pitching staff is anchored by sophomore RHP Hannah Rogers (5-10) who was 27-6 during the regular season with a 1.25 ERA.  She worked 207 innings, allowing 136 hits, 62 walks, and struck out 183 batters.  Lauren Haeger (who knocked a few home runs yesterday) was 14-5 with a 1.78 ERA during the season.  She worked 117.2 innings, allowing 89 hits, 56 walks, and struck out 126 batters.  The Bulls bats came to life yesterday in the 8 to 3 win over FGCU and will need to do the same again today. 

This is a huge today for the team.  Just one more win can take them to the super regional and to the final 16 teams in the tournament.  It won't be easy, the Gators are the host team and have a powerful lineup, but this team has shown they are always up for the big game and today's games are the biggest yet.