We just dropped our newest D1 Top 25 Rankings in time for what we expect to be the matchup of the year up to this point: the NCAA-leading Florida pitching vs the NCAA-leading Auburn offense.



Our No.1 ranked Florida Gators travel to The Plains for a three-game series March 11-13 against our No.2 ranked Auburn Tigers. If you thought the Florida vs Michigan rematch was exciting, you have no idea what you're in for this weekend.

We thought no one could replace Lauren Haeger and we were kind of right — no ONE pitcher can, but Florida's staff of three is doing a damn good job of it.

Sophomore Aleshia Ocasio leads the staff with a .40 ERA though junior lefty Delanie Gourley posts an impressive .44 ERA and leads the staff with 74 strikeouts. If that duo isn't enough, freshman Kelly Barnhill impresses on her own with a .93 ERA and a perfect 8-0 record. The staff together carries an NCAA-leading .63 ERA and holds opponents to a dismal .141 batting average. They've given up only 13 runs, 1 home run, and 70 hits while striking out 203.

Delanie Gourley's nasty change strikes out Ali Aguilar at Mary Nutter


And who better to go head-to-head against the nation's best pitching staff than the nation's best offense. The Tiger offense is feared by most pitchers and for good reason. Auburn leads the NCAA with a combined .393 batting average! They have outscored their opponents 253 to 24 and have scored eight or more runs in 15 of their 23 games. Senior Tiffany Howard leads the Tiger offense with a .545 batting average and junior Kasey Cooper isn't too far behind with her .500 batting average — not to mention Cooper's team-leading seven home runs, 36 RBIs, and 1.032 slugging percentage.

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So you tell us, who wins this FloShowdown? Will Auburn hand Florida its first loss or will the Ocasio, Gourley, Barnhill trio tame the Tiger offense?

[polldaddy poll="9342440"]

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Related:
The Program: Florida Ep. 3 Three-peat or Bust
Florida vs UCLA at Mary