Florida defeats Baylor in opening game of Gainesville Super Regional

The Florida Gators took a commanding lead in the Gainesville Super Regional with a 4-2 victory over Baylor in Game 1 on Friday. Senior Katie Kistler and Korbe Otis led the charge with key hits, propelling the Gators to their 12th consecutive win.

Kistler’s two-run double in the first inning set the tone for Florida, while Otis added to the lead with her ninth home run of the season in the fifth. Jocelyn Erickson, the SEC player of the year, also made an impact with a crucial RBI double to tie the game early on.

The Gators now have the opportunity to sweep Baylor on Saturday and secure a spot in the Women’s College World Series. This is their first super regional at home since 2021, and they are determined to make the most of it after being swept by Georgia in their last home super regional.

In addition to the offensive firepower, Florida’s pitching was solid, with freshman Keagan Rothrock closing out the game with her fifth strikeout. Baylor’s Aliyah Binford put up a fight with an RBI single and a homer, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Gators’ strong performance.

With the momentum on their side, Florida is looking to make a statement in Game 2 and punch their ticket to the Women’s College World Series. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting matchup.