Softball: Gators Claim Series Win in Top 5 Matchup in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 1 Florida claimed the series victory in a Top 5 matchup with the No. 5-ranked Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball team by posting a 5-1, 14-1 (5 inn.) doubleheader sweep on Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Saturday’s games marked the first time the two programs faced off since the 2008 Women’s College World Series and was the first-ever meetings in Gainesville.

A four-run third inning helped provide the Gators (40-3) with the necessary runs for the winning margin in the opener. The hosts plated seven runs in the first inning of the back end of the twinbill to capture the momentum.

Kara Gremillion posted her fifth multiple-hit game with a 2-for-3 performance in the opener that saw her post a hit in each of her first two at bats. Aleah Craighton posted her 14th home run of the season, the second-highest total on the team, in Game 2.

No. 5 Louisiana (32-5) and Florida close out the weekend series on Sunday with a single game at 12 p.m. (CDT). The contest will air on SEC Network Plus via WatchESPN (website and smartphone app) and can be heard on SportsRadio ESPN 1420-AM.

Alex Stewart (17-2, 1.64 ERA) struck out five and posted her sixth game of no walks in a complete game outing in Game 1. The Gators countered with Delanie Gourley who fanned 13 in her seven innings in the circle.

UF snapped a scoreless tie in the second inning with a solo home run by Janell Wheaton, then took advantage of miscues to plate four runs (two unearned) in the third inning that stretched the lead to 5-0.

Stewart blanked the Gators in their final three at bats and the offense made push in the fifth inning by having the tying run on deck after Taylor Terrio was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Haley Hayden sent a ground ball to third base which allowed Gremillion (double) to cross the plate and trim the UF lead to 5-1. Gourley escaped the jam with a strikeout of Shellie Landry, then retired each of the next six Cajuns faced in the sixth and seventh to wrap up the win.

A three-run home run by Kayli Kvistad, who had a game-high six RBI, and a two-run triple by Aubree Munro were the key hits in the seven-run first for the Gators in Game 2.

Florida added runs in each of its final three at bats, starting with Kvistad’s second home run of the game in the second inning.

Craighton’s home run in the fourth inning broke Aleshia Ocasio’s shutout bid and was only the second home run the Gators righty has allowed this season.

The Ragin’ Cajuns kept the pressure on Ocasio before she could exit the frame. DJ Sanders was hit by a pitch, Sara Corbello singled through the left side and Gremillion reached base on an infield single, loading the bases. A strikeout and ground ball helped Ocasio escape the jam.

Kylee Jo Trahan (10-3, 2.17 ERA) was charged with the loss after being responsible for the first four runs the Gators scored in the first inning. Victoria Brown closed out the first inning and pitched through three complete. Alison Deville worked in the circle for the Gators’ final at bat.

DIAMOND NOTES: Prior to stepping onto the field Saturday, 2,880 days had passed since the Ragin’ Cajuns and Gators met in Oklahoma City in May 2008…Only prior meeting on either school’s campus came in Feb. 2002 at Lamson Park (Louisiana Classics)…Florida picked up its first series wins (Louisiana lead 4-2)…The doubleheader sweep marked the first consecutive defeats for the Ragin’ Cajuns this season and since the 2015 Auburn Super Regional…Aleah Craighton’s home run in Game 2 gave Louisiana at least one home run in 29 of 37 games…The Cajuns are now two home runs shy of reaching 80 in a season for the fourth straight season and seventh time in 16 seasons in Michael Lotief’s hitting system…Alex Stewart’s five strikeouts in Game 1 marked the 15th time in 24 appearances she’s reached the mark…Kara Gremillion added a hit in Game 2 and completed the doubleheader 3-for-5 with a double and run scored…Victoria Brown’s appearance in Game 2 marked her team-leading fifth relief appearance of the season…The weekend series in Gainesville has the Cajuns facing an opponent with at least 20 wins for the fourth time in the past five weekends (UTA, Troy, Texas State, Florida).

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