The Florida Gators softball team won both of its games Saturday, beating the Kansas City Roos 7-1 and the No. 16 Michigan Wolverines 4-0 in Tampa.

The Gators improved to 3-0 on the season with one more matchup this weekend. They face the USF Bulls on Sunday at noon in their final game at the USF-Rawlings Invitational.

Gators’ first-ranked win over Michigan

The Gators’ victory over the Wolverines was all about pitching and defense for both teams.“I was really excited,” Delbrey said. “This is one of my biggest dreams ever, so I just wanted to compete against them.”

Delbrey pitched all seven innings in her starting debut and lost her no-hit bid after 6.1 innings pitched. 

Still, it was an incredible performance from Delbrey, who finished with five strikeouts and held the Wolverines to just one hit and no runs.

“I felt really good,” Delbrey said. “I was a little too excited at first, but then I kind of calmed down, and then all of my pitches started settling down and looking better.”

Lindsey wasted no time, cranking a grand slam over the wall and giving the Gators a 4-0 advantage.

“I was really just trying not to make the moment bigger than what it was, stay poised and just keep my swing the same,” Lindsey said. “I’ve been hitting and making really good contact, so just staying the same and not letting the situation get me worked up.”

Florida’s victory over Kansas City

The Kansas City bats got hot in the first inning when the Roos scored their only run of the game. From there, starting UF pitcher Elizabeth Hightower took over and earned her second win of the season. 

Hightower finished the day with 5.2 innings pitched, allowing five hits and two strikeouts.

Florida claimed the lead in the bottom of the second inning when left fielder Kendra Falby hit the first homer of her career, driving in two runs.

UF catcher Sam Roe’s first hit of her young career was a solo home run in the fourth inning, extending Florida’s lead out to 3-1.

The Gators’ bats were on fire in the bottom of the sixth when center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey drove in two runs with a triple to right center field. Roe added another one with a sacrifice bunt to bring Lindsey home.

The Gators will look for a 4-0 start to the 2022 season against the USF Bulls on Sunday.