GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Behind a complete-game and career-high tying 11 strikeout performance from junior
Delanie Gourley, the No. 1 Florida softball team defeated FIU, 3-1, on the first day of UF's Aquafina Invitational.
The Lakeside, Calif. native (7-0) carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, but surrendered a one-out home run to Dominique Grossman to end her bid at perfection. The long ball was the first Florida's pitching staff had allowed this season and the first Gourley surrendered since May 1, 2015 at Missouri.
Tonight marked the second time this season that Gourley carried a perfect game bid into at least the fifth inning. At the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic two weeks ago, she allowed a single to right field when she was just three outs away from the perfecto.
UF had an 8-0 run-rule margin lead at the time.
Offensively, Florida was led by its underclassmen as
Amanda Lorenz and
Nicole DeWitt each recorded two hits. The freshman drove in the first run of the game and the sophomore scored the final tally in the sixth.
Florida scored in the first inning for the ninth-time this season when Lorenz rocketed a single to left field, which scored
Kelsey Stewart. The senior got into scoring position after drawing a leadoff walk and moving to second on a fielder's choice.
UF added a run in the fifth when
Janell Wheaton recorded her team-leading 22
nd RBI of the season with a bases-loaded sac fly to right field.
After the aforementioned home run allowed by Gourley in the top of the sixth, Florida got that run back in the bottom half when DeWitt doubled, moved to third on a ground ball, and later scored on an error by FIU's first baseman.
FIU's Corrine Jenkins (1-3) shouldered the loss for the Panthers, but did record four strikeouts and allowed just three runs (two earned) in the game.
News & Notes- UF has now outscored its opponents this season, 119-11.
- A season ago, UF had a plus-124 run differential (144-19) through 17 games.
- The Gators have made just six errors this season and currently sport one of the best fielding percentages (.986) and earned run averages in the nation (0.64). For comparison, Florida had committed 15 errors in its first 18 contests and had a fielding percentage of .966. UF went on to record its best fielding percentage (.981) and commit just 33 errors, which were both school records.
- Florida's senior class is now 191-28 and trying to catch UF's 2011 class which boasted a 238-33 mark during their four years.
- Tim Walton is now just seven wins away from his 700th win.
- Janell Wheaton recorded her team-leading 22nd of the season tonight.
- UF's opponents still have yet to allow an opponent to steal a base this season.
- Florida is the only team in the SEC who has yet to allow a stolen base in 2016.
Coaches' CornerHead Coach Tim Walton:On Delanie Gourley…"Delanie (Gourley) had as good of stuff as she's had all year. She had her rise ball going and was getting ahead of hitters, which enabled her to get swings and misses. Her movement was good and her changeup was solid all night long. She was able to make some adjustments to her rise ball later in the game and I thought that was the difference as she faced their hitters for the second and third time. I'm really, really happy to see her go out there and compete well. She set the tone for us tonight."
On Florida's offensive performance…"Our production was good. Amanda (Lorenz) had a nice base hit for the RBI, Janell (Wheaton) had good sac fly and Aubree had the fielder's choice RBI, which I thought was good for her to be able to put the ball in play with two strikes."
LHP Delanie Gourley:On her perfect game bid…"I did realize I hadn't allowed a base runner at one point, but I wasn't aiming for it. Once I looked at the scoreboard and realized it, I was like 'Oh my gosh. I have this going, but wait, I can't think like that!' I didn't want to let the thought even enter my head as I just needed to focus on each batter and each individual pitch. After she hit the home run I knew, so it was bummer, but we got a good win so I'm thrilled."
On her success this season…"I have worked really hard and have just been focused all season long. I don't know. I have a different feel this year and it's a good feel. It's like a new confidence, but all I know is that I've worked really hard."
Series History- Florida is now 12-3 all-time against FIU and winners of 11 of the last 12 games in the series.
- The Gators have now won 11 of the past 12 meetings with the Panthers.
- The Gators and Panthers will play each other tomorrow afternoon at 2:15 p.m. in both team's first game of the day.
Next UpFlorida continues its eight-game homestand tomorrow with its second and third games at the Aquafina Invitational. Over the weekend, UF will play FIU twice and have a single game against Illinois State, South Alabama and Florida A&M. Each Florida Softball game can be heard on
Florida Sports Talk (WGGG-AM & WMOP-AM/FM). Joel Sebastianelli will have the call this weekend, with former Gator All-American Megan Bush providing analysis. Live stats links for the weekend can be found on the Gators'
schedule page.
Aquafina Invitational Promotions- The Aquafina Invitational goes green this weekend, as Pepsi and Neutral Gator will plant a tree in the Gainesville community for each Gator run scored throughout the tournament!
- Make sure to stop by the Office of Sustainability and Neutral Gator table on Sunday to see how you can continue to live green.
- Saturday:
- Kids Korner
- Stop by the Kids Korner for fun games, poster making and much, much more!
- Sunday:
- Kid's Club Check-In (11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)
- All Kids Club members can check in at the Kids Korner
- Rowdy Reptile Rewards Student Check-In (11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)
- All students can check in on the Rowdy Reptile Rewards App or at the Rowdy Reptile Rewards table located near the entrance
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