Facing the only SEC team to defeat them this season, the No. 1 Gators were dominant, defeating Alabama 8-5 in the SEC Championship Game. It is the second consecutive SEC title for The Best Dressed Women In Gainesville, who will likely be the top seed in the NCAA Softball Tournament.
Florida had an adventurous final inning, allowing Bama to score twice in the frame. But Florida controlled the entire game, thanks to a huge first inning. UF pitcher Stacey Nelson struggled at the start, allowing two runs in the first. The Gators responded by working Bama pitcher Kelsi Dunne, getting on base with walks and hit batsmen. Dunne had bases loaded and two outs, with an 0-2 count on Gator SS Megan Bush. Instead of ending the first with just one UF run, Bush battled, getting to a full count before dropping a grand slam behind the left field wall. (When they showed Bush in the dugout after, it looked like she was wearing pearl earrings. So, not only was she the offensive MVP, but the style MVP too.) Kelsey Bruder also added three RBI.
Florida only had six hits, getting on base with five walks and four HBP. (UF star Francesca Enea was hit three times, and possibly intentionally on the third pitch.) The sign of a great offensive team is when you can get on without hits, and that is what UF appears to be as they await the brackets tomorrow.