Wallace, consistent hitting send Gators past Bucknell

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 11th-ranked Florida softball team defeated Bucknell, 8-0 (6 innings), in a midweek contest Wednesday afternoon at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The Gators (20-4) reached the 20-win mark behind solid pitching performances from Rylee Trlicek, Samantha Bender (1-0) and Olivia Gigante. Trlicek received the start in the circle and hurled perfect three innings with five strikeouts before he gave way to Bender, who pitched most effectively in relief for two innings, and then was relieved by Gigante for the last frame of action.

Overall, the trio of pitchers held the Bison (7-14) scoreless for the one-hit, run-rule victory on just 59 pitches combined. It was also the fourth hit of the season for the Orange & Blue.

Offensively, Florida was consistent at the plate as the team produced 11 hits in the game. Leading the way were Skylar Wallace (2-for-3), Charla Echols (2-for-4) and Olivia Gigante (2-for-4), while Kendra Falby, Reagan Walsh, Sam Roe, Avery Goelz and Katie Kistler each -per. tallied hits in the game.

The Gators opened the scoring in 1st inning action thanks to a one-out double by Wallace, which was then followed by Echols’ RBI single up the middle. Walsh stretched the lead to 2-0 later in the frame with an infield single to first that drove home Echols.

Florida scored two more runs in the 3rd inning to take a 4-0 lead over Bucknell. The rally started when Wallace drilled his sixth home run of the year to lead off the inning and Goelz extended UF’s lead with an RBI single up the middle that scored Trlicek, who came out of the flex position for Gigante.

Two more runs were added to the Gators tally in the 4th inning to push the lead to 6-0. Kistler led off the frame with his second triple of the season and brought home Falby’s fifth double of the year. Wallace notched another RBI when he plated Falby via an RBI groundout for second.

The Orange & Blue tied the score in the bottom of the 6th inning for a run-rule victory. Wallace drew a one-out RBI walk to put a runner on for Echols, who set the table for his 37th RBI of the year when he smashed a double into right center field. Roe produced the game’s final hit later in the inning with an RBI double down the left field line that would score Echols from second base.

Florida now sets its sights on Southeastern Conference play as the team welcomes Missouri to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium for a three-game series.

Notable:

• The Gators’ run-rule victory in six innings against Bucknell was their 15th run-rule victory of the year. The Orange & Blue cover is also the 10th this year.
• Florida has outscored opponents 206-47 on the year and is averaging 8.58 runs per game.
• UF tallied 11 hits in tonight’s game, the 13th time this season the offense has produced 10 or more hits in a game.
• Senior Rylee Trlicek received the start in the circle and hurled a perfect three innings on just 31 pitches. The Hallettsville, Texas native also struck out a season-high five Bison in the effort.
• Skylar Wallace went 2-for-3 in tonight’s game with a home run and a double. The Woodstock, Ga. native has reached base safely over the last 20 games.
• Charla Echols extended her hitting streak to nine games after she went 2-for-4 at the plate. Newnan, Ga. native also extended his hit base safe streak out to 11 games.
• Olivia Gigante went 2-for-4 tonight for the second game of her career.