No. 1 Florida softball holds off Oklahoma State to advance to Super Regional

By Adam Silverstein
May 21, 2017
No. 1 Florida softball holds off Oklahoma State to advance to Super Regional
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Image Credit: ESPN

It took one more game than the No. 1 Florida Gators wanted, but the hosts of the 2017 Gainesville Regional eventually got it done, ousting the Oklahoma State Cowgirls 5-0 in an elimination game on Sunday.

Florida was forced into the do-or-die contest after dropping a 1-0 decision earlier in the day. The Gators out-hit the Pokes 7-3 in the first game, but sophomore right-handed pitcher Kelly Barnhill still took her second loss of the season.

Senior left-handed pitcher Delanie Gourley got the call for the rubber match — Florida previously beat Oklahoma State 2-0 on Saturday — and delivered with 11 strikeouts, one hit and one walk in a complete game effort. She now has two no-hitters and two one-hitters over her career pitching in regional action.

Junior second baseman Nicole Dewitt hit a two-run homer in the contest and was one of four batters with RBIs on the afternoon.

In taking down OSU, UF eliminated former assistant Kenny Gajewski, who worked under Tim Walton for three seasons before leaving for the top job two years ago.

Florida opened the Gainesville Regional by blanking Florida A&M 9-0 on Friday. In fact, every game played in the regional was a shutout, which marked the first time that has occurred in NCAA postseason history.

As the top seed in the nation, the Gators will host Super Regional action next week. Sunday marked the first time Florida was forced into a regional elimination game since 2012. Now it will look to advance to the Women’s College World Series for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons.

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