Florida Gators: The Tim Walton Effect
Florida Gators: The Tim Walton Effect
The Florida Gators softball program has come a very long way. Tim Walton made his mark on the Florida softball program shattering records and creating a cul
The Florida Gators softball program has come a very long way. Tim Walton made his mark on the Florida softball program shattering records and creating a culture of Champions under Gator Nation.
Watch Walton and the Gators' rise to SEC and national dominance in our original documentary series "The Program: Florida." Watch Episode 1 on December 2 and Episode 2 on December 9 only on FloSoftball!
Setting the Tone
On May 27, 2005 the University of Florida announced their search for a new head coach following Karen Johns. June 21, 2005, Tim Walton was named Head Softball Coach of the Florida Gators. Walton left Wichita State breaking 30 school records and leading the Shockers to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 16 years. Tim Walton was revolutionizing a program that never experienced a Women's College World Series or a Top five ranking.
First and foremost, my goal is going to be to achieve success at the Southeastern Conference level. From the first day of meetings we are going to be geared toward working hard to win that conference title. The SEC is one of the top three conferences in the country, so if we take care of that goal we can work on regional and national success. - Tim Walton
Tim Walton who spent time as an assistant coach at Oklahoma recruited one of the Sooners top hitters, Christina Enea. Florida signs first California recruit Francesca Enea. Enea played travel ball for the Orange County Batbusters, coached by Gary Hanning. The Batbusters won the 16 and under ASA national title in 2003 and the 18 and under ASA Class A national title in 2004. Corrie Brooks and Jenna Olmo also joined the 2006 signing class.
January 27, 2006 Florida was picked No. 19 in preseason polls. They were picked third in SEC. By February, Florida set their precedence by beating No. 1 Michigan 3-2. On May 14, 2006 the Gators received No. 16 National Seed in NCAA Tournament hosting North Carolina, South Florida, and Florida Atlantic. They were beat twice by Florida Atlantic. Kristen Butler was named SEC Player of the Year. She was the only the Florida Gator to be named SEC Player of the Year. Finishing the season 43-25, Walton became the winningest first year head coach in Florida history.
On November 8, 2006 Florida signs seven game changing recruits and future All-Americans Stephanie Brombacher, Megan Bush, and Aja Paculba.
Creating the Florida Gator Culture
February 5, 2007 Tim Walton was interviewed by Gator Zone about their sophomore season:
Gator Zone: Does the inexperience at some positions create some competition within the team that makes everyone better?
Tim Walton: Taking a three-time All-SEC player in Melissa Zick and moving her to third base really sets the tempo and sends the message that it doesn't matter who you are or what you have done in the past, we are going to do what is best for the team.
To me, all we are trying to do is find people to be clutch. Statistics are great, but you can overlook them sometimes…The thing that we are not focusing on as a team this year are the power numbers. We are just trying to identify what type of hitters we are and stay inside those boundaries as opposed to trying to win games with one swing. Just do what I do and everyone takes care of her own responsibilities and roles. - Tim Walton
Gator Zone: This season's schedule is tough. The first week of the season sets the tone by playing in a tough tournament and facing the defending national champion in the third game. The conference season starts much the same way, facing last season's top four teams in the first four series. What are some of the challenges this schedule brings?
We are going to know where this team is at by the middle of March. Every week in the SEC is very difficult no matter where you are playing. Putting the schedule this way was by design. We won't make any excuses. We go through this to get better. We define success by an improvement every single day. I don't think where we are at in February is really going to matter. It is about where we are going and where we hope to go as the season progresses
The one goal we are trying to create for long term success here is to not to look at our opponents, but to look more at ourselves. If we define what we can do, over the long haul our program will improve. One thing that will define this team is our toughness. It doesn't matter what the score is, this team is going to show toughness and is going to play harder than it ever has before.
Saturday, February 10 and March 10, 2007 beat No.1 Arizona and new No.1 team Tennessee ending the Tennessee Vols 23 game winning streak. On May 19, 2007 Enea's Grand slam sends softball to Regional Championship beating Georgia Tech.
"A great opportunity stands in front (of us) tomorrow to play in a regional championship," Walton said. "A regional championship is something we haven't been able to capture as a program. We're excited about where we are right now. Whoever wins the night cap is going to be a tough fight for us tomorrow. All these teams have been such good teams all the way through the season. It is nice to know we've got a team of competitors that are going to fight for every one of their at bats and for every pitch they throw."
The Gators ended their 2007 season on May 27 setting new standards: setting records for wins (50), stolen bases (129), ERA (1.40), opponent batting average (.207), shut outs (26), fewest runs allowed (126), fewest earned runs allowed (100), fielding percentage (.975) and fewest errors (55).
Make Your Mark
January 24, 2008 started the season ranked No.13 in Preseason Poll and reached the No. 3 ranking by March 30th. The Gators were ranked No. 1 in country by May 2008. Florida won their first ever SEC Tournament Title on May 10th. The next day they earned the No. 1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament hosting Georgia Tech, UCF, and USF. Florida crushes UCF 10-1 to advance to Super Regionals.
On May 24, 2008 Florida advanced to their first Women's College World Series beating the Cal Bears in Gainesville.
It means a lot to go to the World Series. I remember three years ago we weren't even able to get out of a regional. In three years, this program has been able to do a lot. Looking back and seeing the steps the we've taken, it feels really good to be at this point. - Stacey Nelson, Pitcher
May 29, 2008 Florida loses first game in the Women's College World Series to Louisiana Lafayette 3-2. May 31, 2008 sets NCAA wins record by winning their second game in WCWS over Virginia Tech beating out National Player of the Year, Angela Tincher. Stacey Nelson improved her record to 46-4 on the season. Florida had a quick turnaround facing off against UCLA. "Obviously we didn't get much time to enjoy the last win but we will get about 10 hours to enjoy this one a lot," head coach Tim Walton said. "This is a huge win for our program, a huge win for our players and team, any time you go against the caliber and the name of UCLA. UCLA and the College World Series go hand-in-hand and to be able to come out on top against them in the losers' bracket with our backs against the wall is a tremendous accomplishment for our whole team."
June 1, 2008 Francesca Enea hit two home runs and an outstanding pitching performance by freshmen Stephanie Brombacher forces a second semifinal game against Texas A&M. June 2, 2008 eliminated by Texas A&M 1-0. Florida finished the season 70-5 breaking the NCAA wins record. The 2008 Gators were also the first team in school history to reach the Women's College World Series and finished 3-2 in their first appearance, fighting back through the losers bracket to play in the semifinals.
It's obviously a huge letdown to lose, but the way we win with class and lose with class and the way we display our actions and emotions on the field make me very proud to be the coach. It's tough to lose, but I don't know of any other team that has gone or ever will go 70-5. It's unbelievable. - Tim Walton
We didn't win a national championship, but this is Florida's first trip to the World Series and we have done a lot of great things this season. This has been a team to remember. - Stacey Nelson
June 4, 2008 Stacey Nelson and Francesca Enea named to WCWS All-Tournament Team and on June 30, 2008 Florida was named NFCA Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
November 12, 2008 Signs Ensley Gammel, Samantha Holle, Kelsey Horton, Brittany Schutte and Brittany Walker
The New No. 1
January 20, 2009 softball start season ranked No. 1 ranking in Preseason Poll. In their season opening series, Florida loses to Baylor dropping them to No. 2. On February 27, Tim Walton reached 300 career wins defeating Pacific. By March 14, 2009 Florida reclaimed the No. 1 ranking and clinched their second straight SEC Title.
On May 10, 2009 Receives No. 1 Seed in NCAA Tournament hosting regionals with Texas A&M, Florida A&M, and Lehigh
May 20, 2009 Stacey Nelson Named Top Three Finalist for Player of the Year
May 26, 2009 Tim Walton joins Twitter.
May 24, 2009 Florida wins super regional over No. 14 Cal Bears and advances to their second straight WCWS.
May 27, 2009 Stacey Nelson and Stephanie Brombacher receive first-team NFCA/ Louisville Slugger All-American honors. UF was also the only school to register five All-Americans.
May 29, 2009 wins opening WCWS game against Arizona.
May 30, 2009 defeats Michigan with a game winning home run by Megan Bush and a Stacey Nelson shutout.
May 31, 2009 Ali Gardiner hits first career grand slam for her first hit in the WCWS to send the Gators into the WCWS Championship series against University of Washington.
June 2, 2009 loses first game against Washington 8-0. Stacey Nelson recorded her fourth loss of the season. Washington's Danielle Lawrie struck out 12 and allowed two hits.
June 3, 2009 Florida historic season ended with a 3-2 loss to Washington.
How far did the 2009 Florida team come from 2006?
The 2009 team set 39 records during their first-ever run to the WCWS championship series. The Florida Gators went from 41 home runs to 86 in 2009. The Gators offense increased Runs Batted In production by 136 runs. Florida's pitching staff held a 0.69 ERA with 266 more strikeouts.
Winning is an All the Time Thing
November 12, 2009 Florida signs Hannah Rogers, Winter Haven, Kasey Fagan, and Cheyenne Coyle.
January 29, 2010 begins season ranked No. 3 in preseason polls.
March 25, 2010 Brombacher pitches first perfect game in six years.
May 5, 2010 Tim Walton named head coach of USSSA Pride.
May 9, 2010 SEC East Champions and No. 2 seed.
May 16, 2010 Florida Hosts NCAA Regional with UCF, FIU, Bethune-Cookman.
May 24, 2010 advances to super regional against ASU.
May 30, 2010 Florida beats ASU to advance to third straight WCWS.
June 3, 2010 loses to UCLA in opening WCWS game 16-3.
June 5, 2010 season ends falling to No. 6 Georgia 3-2. The Gators end their season 49-10 and set the program and SEC single-season record with 109 home runs. The team set six other program records: batting average (.331), slugging percentage (.627), on-base percentage (.432), runs (432), RBIs (402) and total bases (936). The Gators also set or tied nine single-game records, including hits (21 vs. South Carolina), runs scores (22 vs. North Florida), home runs (six, twice) and RBIs (22 vs. North Florida).
"If you would have told me before the game started that it was going to be a 3-2 ball game with the offensive displays of both teams out of it, I probably would've not believed you," Walton said. "I thought Stephanie really showed us a lot of heart today -- really went out and gutted it out for 13 innings today and did a great job. We didn't play our best; we played our hardest. I thought we went out and fought pretty heavily to the end. It's just one of those things, like we talked about two days ago, how hard it is to come back from the losers' bracket. Anytime you're eliminated it really hurts."
To end the careers of two players, we wouldn't have been here without those two, Francesca and Corrie have done just a phenomenal job with what we were talking about in the early going. They've been to the College World Series three times, four Super Regional appearances, two SEC championships, two tournament championships and more wins than anybody else that's suited up in this uniform. I'm really proud of those two; sad for those two as well. I'm very, very happy with their effort.
November 11, 2010 signs Alyssa Bache, Bailey Castro, Sami Fagan, Jessica Damico, Lauren Haeger, and Katie Medina.
To say we are excited about this year's signing class is an understatement, each one of these student-athletes brings a tremendous amount of talent individually. Collectively, they're one of the best classes in the entire country. We look forward to great things out of this group. We'll be losing an extremely talented senior class this upcoming season -- arguably one of the best Florida softball classes ever. We are excited about coaching this talented incoming class, which we expect to step in right away and replace some Gator greats.
January 25, 2011 ranks No. 5 in Preseason polls.
February 16, 2011 Tim Walton reaches 400 career wins. Florida lost 25 games in Walton's first season. The Gators have lost just 20 games the past four seasons combined following a 7-0 win at Jacksonville on Wednesday. "The first four years [of my career] were probably pretty typical for a coach,'' Walton said.
The fifth year, something clicked, the sixth year was magical, the seventh year unbelievable. We got better, but not only did we get better, we just didn't lose.
March 30, 2011 Kelsey Bruder, Aja Paculba, and Megan Bush selected in NPF Draft. "I'm really proud of Kelsey, Megan and Aja for being drafted to play in the NPF," University of Florida head coach Tim Walton said." It's an honor for them to not only represent their families and the University of Florida, but it's also a tremendous accomplishment for them to be able to play softball after college. We look forward to great things from the three of them the rest of this season and as they continue their softball careers as professionals."
May 8, 2011 Gator softball clinches fourth straight SEC Eastern Division Title.
May 15, 2011 Florida picks up No. 4 seed in NCAA Tournament hosting UCLA, Jacksonville and Bethune-Cookman.
May 22, 2011 Florida beats UCLA to advance to Super Regional against Oregon.
May 28, 2011 the Gators sweep Oregon to advance to WCWS.
June 3, 2011 win opening game against Missouri.
June 4, 2011 Florida fell to No. 1 seed ASU 6-5 on a wall-off single in the bottom of seventh inning.
June 4, 2011 come from behind victory against Cal Bears winning 5-2.
June 5, 2011 Gators sweep Alabama and face ASU in Championship Series.
June 7, 2011 Gators season end against No. 1 Seed ASU. Florida (56-13) became the first Southeastern Conference school to make four straight WCWS trips, and the Gators represented their conference and university well, boasting four WCWS All-Tournament Team members, highlighted by junior Michelle Moultrie (Jacksonville, Fla.), who picked up co-Most Outstanding Player honors with ASU freshman hurler Dallas Escobedo.
Florida's five seniors, Kelsey Bruder, Tiffany DeFelice, Megan Bush (Anaheim Hills, Calif.), Stephanie Brombacher (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Aja Paculba (Wildomar, Calif.) leave the program as the most successful class in Florida history, boasting a 238-33 (.878) overall record and a 94-13 (.878) record in SEC play.
June 14, 2011 Kelsey Bruder honored as 2011 Honda Sports Award Winner.
June 17, 2011 Michelle Moultrie and Brittany Schutte named to USA Softball Women's National Team.
November 11, 2011 signs Taylore Fuller, Kirsti Merritt, and Taylor Schwarz, Aubree Munro, and Kelsey Stewart.
Florida Detour
January 24, 2012 Florida tabbed No. 2 in preseason national polls
May 13, 2012 Gators get No. 5 seed in NCAA Tournament
May 18, 2012 Gators host regionals lose opening regional game to FGCU
May 20, 2012 USF upsets Florida by knocking them out of the NCAA tournament with a 1-0 victory. Gators coach Tim Walton kicked three starters - a trio of very good players -- off the team for disciplinary reasons. Sami Fagan, Kasey Fagan, and Cheyenne Coyle were off the team. If they would have beat USF, this would have marked their fifth straight appearance at the Women's College World Series.
At the end of the day, it's all about your team. It's all about your program. I'm not going to say too many words, but that's what it's all about. At USF, it's all about the Bulls. [Here], it's all about the Gators. - Tim Walton
May 13, 2012 Kenny Gajewski joins Florida coaching staff.
November 14, 2012 Tim Walton signs his first left-handed pitcher Delanie Gourley.
January 22, 2013 Gators ranked No. 14 in USA Today/NFCA Division 1 Top 25 Preseason Poll.
March 19, 2013 Michelle Moultrie Drafted to NPF's USSSA Pride with Opportunity to Play Pro After Gator Career.
April 5, 2013 Hannah Rogers tosses first career No-Hitter.
May 5, 2013 Florida earns SEC Championship sweeping SEC Regular Season and Tournament Titles with 10-4 Victory Over Missouri.
May 26, 2013 Oklahoma City Bound: Florida Softball Heads to WCWS for Fifth Time in Last Six Years.
May 29, 2013 Gator pitchers Hannah Rogers and Lauren Haeger Tabbed NFCA Division I First Team All-Americans.
Tim Walton commented after Gators were eliminated by Texas,
If you had asked me at the beginning of the season, 'Could this team do this?' my answer would have been no.
July 8, 2013 Kelsey Stewart wins Silver with Team USA at Junior World Championship.
November 13, 2013 Gators sign Nicole DeWitt
Back on the Road to Oklahoma City
January 21, 2014 Florida Softball Ranked No. 4 in USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Preseason Poll
January 30, 2014 Lauren Haeger on exceeding expectations last season:
"It feels great. When I first saw at the beginning of the season [last year] what people thought about us, I was like, "Well, there are still people here. Things happened, but there are still people here who really care. I think we all came together at the right time last year. We're all really close; there's no drama. Everyone is fun to be around. I love being around these girls, and you have to, especially with all of the hours you put in with each other. I think with our chemistry and everything [from last year] it's been carrying over to this year as well."
Lauren Haeger on heightened expectations this season:
I'm a junior, I've done this a couple times now and I can say that it's really exciting. I think it's more motivating and exciting than it is feeling pressure. I like pressure. That's how I like to play and that's how I like to perform. I think we're all just really excited.
February 18, 2014 Gator Softball Ranked No. 1 in USA Today/NFCA Poll, Holds Top Spot in ESPN.com / USA Softball Survey.
February 14, 2014 Hannah Rogers Collects 100th Career Win in Doubleheader Sweep
March 6, 2014 Tim Walton different approach for 2014:
I'm so competitive and my players know that. It's not a secret, but I've taken a little bit of a different approach with this team. As much as I want them to be perfect in all phases of the game, I realize the strengths and weaknesses, the pros and cons, and I really haven't been sweating some of the things that in other years would have driven me crazy.
April 16, 2014 Aleshia Ocasio signs with Florida
May 15, 2014 Hannah Rogers on her career winding down:
My freshmen year, I just went out there and threw. I didn't so much care about what was going to happen to me and the results, so I just did what Coach Rocha told me to do. But now, as a senior, I think I'm smarter. I look where the batter is standing. I read their feet. The first pitch, I read the swing and look for holes. When I watch film, I'll watch [opposing] batters four times and see what they like and what they don't like.
May 28, 2014 The Gators' All-American are Kelsey Stewart (First Team) and Hannah Rogers (Third Team). Hannah Rogers selection makes her the first four-time All-American in Gator Softball history.
May 29, 2014 Gators Run-Rule Baylor, 11-0, to Open WCW.
May 30, 2014 Florida Shuts Out Oregon to Earn WCWS Semifinal Berth.
June 1, 2014 Tim Walton quote during 2014 WCWS finals:
The little things win games here at the College World Series and I'm just proud of our kids for believing in us and believing in themselves and in their abilities -- and not trying to do too much," said Walton, who continues to elevate the program to remarkable heights. Here we are getting an opportunity for a national championship.
June 3, 2014 NATIONAL CHAMPS: Gators Roll Over Alabama to Win Women's College World Series.
July 1, 2014 Hannah Rogers named SEC Female Athlete of the Year.
November 5, 2014 Hannah Rogers signs with USSSA Pride.
November 12, 2014 Gators sign Kelly Barnhill, Brooke Clemens, Amanda Lorenz, Lily Mann,Sophia Reynoso, Theresa Swertfager and Alexandra Voss.
January 20, 2015 Gators ranked No. 1 in preseason polls.
January 30, 2015 Michelle Moultrie named USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year.
May 3, 2015 Gators win SEC Championship
May 10, 2015 Florida earns No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament and host Hofstra, Florida Atlantic, and Florida A&M. The Gators beat Florida Atlantic to advance to Super Regionals against Kentucky.
May 24, 2015 Gators sweep Kentucky to advanced to their seventh Women's College World Series.
May 28, 2015 Lauren Haeger named USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year.
May 30, 2015 Florida beats LSU to advance to the semi-final game against Auburn.
May 30, 2015 Lauren Haeger hits 70 home runs with 70 wins joining Babe Ruth as one of the all time great hitters and pitchers.
May 31, 2015 Nicole DeWitt hits walk off single to send the Gators to the Championship Series against Michigan.
June 1, 2015 Tim Walton went with a surprising start Aleshia Ocasio and Delanie Gourley in the circle taking 3-2 victory over Michigan. Lauren Haeger blasted her 71st home run of the season.
June 2, 2015 Michigan takes game two 1-0.
June 3, 2015 Florida wins 4-1 winning back to back Women's College World Series Championships.
Post Game Talk:
Tim Walton: I'll make it simple. I thought we really committed to -- we really owned making an adjustment at the plate. And I think last night my words probably are still ringing in some of their heads. But overall the adjustment we made, and again our pitching staff, just so proud of our pitching staff. Without Aleshia Ocasio and Delanie Gourley on Monday night, we wouldn't be sitting up here. I'm pretty sure of it. And Lauren (Haeger), can't say enough about her season, what she's meant in the circle, at the plate, and in the locker room. And the confidence and work ethic she brought this year has been tremendous. And being rewarded with Player of the Year but also with the national championship trophy to go with that and a ring and SEC championship. Proud of our players and thankful that I'm their coach and they buy into what we do. A lot of confidence.
Q. Lauren, the last game in your career, how do you want Gator fans to remember your legacy?
I mean, I just want everyone to know me as a person more than a softball player. And that when you work hard, good things happen for you. - Lauren Haeger, Player of the Year
Q. Coach, the message at the beginning of the season was to let last year's team be last year's team. And throughout the course of the year how
well did they do at that task of making their own memories and making their own moments?
Tim Walton: I think the keyword you used there is their own moments. We had some ups and downs this season personally for some individuals on our team. One down at the end of the podium, Taylor Schwarz. Kid who has played every game her first couple years. This year kind of platooned a little bit. I'm proud of them. They all understand.
I think the key to this creating your own moment is we've got 20 players on our team and each one has a role and each one brings value to the team. And if you can put yourself aside, your own selfish instincts, you want to play every game and support your teammates, good things happen for you. And I think that's the key. That's one of the things we worked on so hard.