GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 4 Gators closed out the T-Mobile Tournament defeating Florida A&M, 8-0 (5 innings), Sunday afternoon at Katie Seashole Pressley Stadium. The shutout victory is Florida’s sixth of the season.
The Orange and Blue improved to 10-0 thanks to a shutout performance from junior pitcher Rylee Trlicek and Marissa Mesiemore. The Hallettsville, Texas native started in the circle and tossed 4.0 innings to secure her first win of the season. She surrendered two hits and struck out two batters before she was relieved by the graduate transfer Mesiemore (Bushnell, Fla.) in the 5th inning.
The duo combined to throw only 48 pitches in the 1 hour and 26-minute contest.
The Gators entered the run column in the 2nd inning with Charla Echols scoring the first run via a wild pitch after a walk by Reagan Walsh. Emily Wilkiewould follow that up by knocking in Walsh from third on a groundout to shortstop.
Kendra Falby capped the inning off lacing a double down the right field line to score Avery Goelz for the 3rd run of the inning.
Florida struck for two more in the 3rd inning and took a 5-0 lead thanks to Echols as she launched a pitch over the right field fence after Skylar Wallacereached on a hit by pitch. It was the first home run of the year by Echols.
Continuing to do damage in the 4th inning, Falby swiped two bases and scored on a throwing error by the catcher trying to nab her at third base after her bunt single. Echols extended the lead for her third RBI on the day lacing a single into center field.
Falby produced the game ending hit with a single to left field for her second RBI of the game.
The Gators return to action Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. with a single game at North Florida and then will host the Ospreys the following day at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium at 6 p.m.