Top-ranked UF softball feels like underdogs

Florida had just dropped the first game of a doubleheader at Alabama 1-0 before its bats came alive in the nightcap. The Gators belted a pair of homers in the 8-4 win, salvaging a split against a difficult Southeastern Conference opponent.

The Gators haven't lost since that March 12th night and take a 35-game winning streak into today's NCAA Division I Tournament regional opener at home against Georgia Tech.

"When you say that now in May, it's pretty unbelievable," Florida junior outfielder Kim Waleszonia said. "But there's a lot more involved than that. We're just working hard on and off the field and the hard work is paying off."

As the top overall seed in the tournament, No. 1 Florida (62-2) will have some leeway in the four-team regional that includes UCF and USF. The Gators can afford to lose one game in the double-elimination tournament, but two losses this weekend would end Florida's season short of a College World Series appearance.

"Our goal is to get to the World Series," Waleszonia said. "I mean, who's goal isn't that? But it takes steps to accomplish that."

Highlights of the Florida streak have included a 6-5 extra-inning win at No. 13 Tennessee and a 4-1 win against No. 4 Alabama that clinched its first SEC Tournament title in school history. Florida has recorded 13 shutout wins during the streak, but also has won with offense, scoring five runs or more in 27 of the victories.

"We're not feeling any pressure because we're living pitch by pitch," Florida senior outfielder Mary Ratliff said.

Florida coach Tim Walton hasn't announced a starter for tonight's regional opener, though junior Stacey Nelson is expected to pitch the majority of the innings this weekend. Nelson (40-2, 0.79 ERA) enters tonight with a school-record 294 strikeouts this season and has emerged as a Division I player of the year candidate.

"My arm feels good," Nelson said. "I'm ready to go."

Walton said that Florida has kept its current streak in perspective. The Gators haven't reached the College World Series in the program's 12-year history.

"We're on the stage but we haven't proven anything yet," Walton said. "We're still the underdog. We've had a great season but by no means are we satisfied at all."

Notes

Waleszonia (second team) and Nelson (first team) were two of five UF players named to the Louisville Slugger All-Southeast region team Thursday. The others were sophomore catcher Francesca Enea (first team), junior first baseman Ali Gardiner (first team) and freshman second baseman Aja Paculba (first team).