GAINESVILLE — Sophomore Sam Holle hit a two-run homer to left center to give the Florida softball team its final two runs, enforcing the run rule and downing FIU, 8-0, in six innings Wednesday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
Florida (34-7, 10-6 SEC) put up one run each in the first and second, four in the fourth and two in the sixth to serve the Panthers their 21st loss of the season. Senior Tiffany DeFelice connected on a solo shot to left field in the second, accounting for one of UF's two homers on the day, and senior Aja Paculba hit a three-RBI double down the left-field line for three of UF's four runs in the fourth inning.Freshman Hannah Rogers tossed her 20th victory of the season for the Gators, a two-hitter, working the full 6.0 and fanning nine Panthers in the shutout. Mariah Dawson chalked up the loss for FIU (23-21), giving up UF's first three runs in 3.0 innings, while Jenn Gniadek threw the final 2.0 for the Panthers, allowing five Gator runs on four hits. The FIU duo collaborated for just four strikeouts, while walking four UF players.
Florida will head to Auburn for a three-game road swing starting Friday. The 10th-ranked Gators have swept the past three series against AU and have lost just two games against Auburn under head coach Tim Walton, the last being April 15, 2007, when AU took one from UF in the second game of the series at Auburn.
The Tigers are 32-9 on the season and 11-6 overall in Southeastern Conference play.
