Florida handles Baylor in Gainesville Super Regional Opener
Keagan Rothrock battled to find the strike zone in the first inning. The SEC Freshman of the Year faced seven batters as Baylor took an early lead. She certainly settled in during Florida’s 4-2 win as she finished her complete game with little over 100 pitches.
Rothrock allowed six hits and struck out five, putting the Gators one win away from the Women’s College World Series. The opposing battery seemed to be the only issue for Rothrock. Aliyah Binford went 3-for-3 driving in both Baylor runs on an RBI single and a solo home run. Baylor catcher Sydney Collazos had two hits for the Bears. Despite their success, Rothrock didn’t allow another runner to reach second base after the first inning.
Florida didn’t put crooked numbers up across the scoreboard, but it wasn’t necessary behind Rothrock’s performance. The Gators picked up their pitcher and responded in the first inning. SEC Player of the Year Jocelyn Erickson squeezed a ball down the third base line to tie the game. Katie Kistler came through with a two-out double in the left-center gap to plate two.
Back on top!@katie_kistler07 adds two runs 👏
📺 ESPN 2 | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/GEpU5IbtDx
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) May 24, 2024
After Binford’s solo home run cut the Florida lead to one, Korbe Otis went down and lifted an off-speed pitch from Binford for a home run.
Props to Binford, who tossed a good game and had a handful of clutch strikeouts, especially with her changeup. She gave Baylor a chance from both sides of the plate.
Baylor will try to push the series to a third game at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday.
