Florida Gators Softball: Back-to-back National Champs
By Ryan Summers
The University of Florida’s softball team has done what only two other programs in the history of college softball have been able to do – repeat as national champions.
The Gators (60-7) finished off the Michigan Wolverines in the final game of the 2015 Women’s College World Series Wednesday, winning 4-1.
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Head coach Tim Walton led the lady Gators to a 28-0 record to start the season behind the arms of USA Softball Player of the Year
, sophomore Delanie Gourley and freshman left-hander Aleshia Ocasio.
Haeger prior to this season was known for being a great hitter and a good pitcher, but this season, she shifted from being a pitcher and first baseman to filling a role solely in the circle and the batter’s box.
Haeger is the only player in college softball history to record 70 career wins and 70 career home runs.
Heading into the postseason, the Gators had lost their last regular season game against Missouri in extra innings and before the SEC Tournament.
Like a year ago, the Gators were ousted in the early rounds of the league’s season capping tournament. But also like a year ago, the Gators had a good enough record to host a regional and propel themselves into the postseason.
In the Gainesville Regional, the Gators outscored their opponents 14-0 in dominating fashion to move on to the Super Regional round.
Their dominance didn’t stop there.
In two games against the Kentucky Wildcats in the Super Regionals, the Gators outscored the Cats 8-0 and continued to shutout their opponents. The sweep of Kentucky sealed the Gators trip back to the WCWS.
The Gators didn’t lose a game once they got to Oklahoma City, beating Tennessee 7-2, LSU 4-0 and Auburn 3-2 to make it to the final series of the WCWS against Michigan.
In game 1, Walton started Ocasio and the Gators jumped out to an early three run lead after three innings. After the Gators scored three runs, the Wolverines put in their ace, senior Haylie Wagner.
The Gators couldn’t find an answer for Wagner throughout the rest of the game but they escaped with a victory in game 1, 3-2.
In game 2 on Tuesday, Haeger got the start against Wagner. Like in game 1, the side that took the early lead went on to win the game. Michigan scored the game’s only run in the first inning and defended their lead winning game two.
The Wolverines evened the series at 1-1 heading into the final game of the season Wednesday night.
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The pitching duel was set again – Wagner vs. Haeger for all the marbles. The Gators jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning after junior Taylor Schwarz knocked in two runs on a hit to the outfield.
The Gators would tack on one more run in the second inning and only give up one run behind the arm of Haeger claiming their second straight National Championship.
The tournament MVP was the same as the regular season – Haeger. Even though the Wolverines didn’t pitch to her in the final game, she made her impact in the finals and in the postseason. She made her impact in the same spot she had all season – the circle.
This season, Haeger went 32-2 and had the lowest earned run average in the SEC (.127).
Haeger pitched 25 complete games, including the final game against Michigan, and will forever be remembered in the record books of not only the Florida Gators, but NCAA softball. During the World Series, Haeger went 4-1 in the circle giving up only six runs in 36 innings of work.
The Wolverines didn’t pitch to Haeger in game 3 because of what she had done leading up to the final game. During the World Series, she hit .571 with three home runs and seven RBIs to go along with six walks in her six games.
Moving forward, Walton and the Gators lose six seniors including Haeger, but return players that have the potential to make it a three-peat.
The Gators will be led by Gourley and Ocasio along with second baseman Kelsey Stewart – the SEC leader in hits.
If the Gators continue to get production from their new recruits combined with the veteran leadership of now two-time national champions, these Gators will be making a lot of trips back to Oklahoma City for years to come.