The Gators softball team took the first of three required steps to win the SEC Eastern Division Championship on Friday, by defeating the first place Volunteers in dramatic fashion Friday. Freshman infielder Cheyenne Coyle took her turn as Gators hero by belting her 13th long ball of the season to break a three all tie in the last of the seventh. It was the fourth walk off hit for the Gators this season, the second by virtue of the home run ball.
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Another freshman, pitcher Hannah Rogers earned the win for the Gators, relieving senior starter Stephanie Brombacher in the 5th inning with the Gators down 3-1. Rogers improves to 21-5 on the season with the stellar effort, in which she gave up only one hit while fanning four. The Gators' freshmen helped the seniors become the winningest class in Gator history with their 227th victory...not a bad way to kick off Senior Weekend.
The No. 4 ranked Gators improve to 45-8 on the season, 19-7 in the SEC, but more importantly, they cut Tennessee's lead in the Eastern Division to one game with two to play. The Gators can clinch the regular season championship with wins on Saturday and Sunday. Game two against the No. 3 Vols starts Saturday at noon (Live on ESPN), while the final game of the regular season takes place at 3pm on Sunday on ESPNU.
Video courtesy of Gator Vision via Gatorzone.com