No. 5 Florida Gators Defeat No. 1 Tennessee in SEC Softball Showdown

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a tightly contested matchup, the No. 5 University of Florida Gators defeated the No. 1 Tennessee Lady Volunteers 3-2 on Sunday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, securing a series win. This marks the first Southeastern Conference (SEC) road series loss for Tennessee since 2023.

Game Recap

Florida (31-2, 7-1 SEC) took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run from Taylor Shumaker. The game then evolved into a pitching duel between Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens and Florida’s Keagan Rothrock, keeping both teams’ offenses largely in check.

The Gators extended their lead in the fifth inning, scoring two runs on a combination of walks, a fielder’s choice, a wild pitch, and a single. Sage Mardjetko was brought in to relieve Pickens with one out in the fifth and managed to limit the damage with a strikeout and a groundout.

Pickens (7-2) allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and five walks over 4.1 innings, taking the loss.

Tennessee (28-3, 6-3 SEC) rallied in the sixth inning when Gabby Leach hit a two-run home run, narrowing Florida’s lead to 3-2.

Rothrock pitched a complete game for the Gators, conceding two runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts, improving her record to 17-2. Mardjetko pitched 1.2 innings for Tennessee, not allowing any hits or walks and recording one strikeout.

Gabby Leach led Tennessee’s offense, going 2-for-3 with a single and a home run. Alannah Leach, Makenzie Butt, and Elsa Morrison also contributed with base hits, with Morrison adding a double in the seventh.

Stadium Information

The Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium, located on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida, has a capacity of 2,800 spectators. Learn more about the stadium.

Upcoming Schedule

Tennessee will return home to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on March 24 for a midweek game against Tennessee Tech.