Barnhill Shuts Down Ducks, Delivers Florida Its 20th Win Of The Season
Barnhill Shuts Down Ducks, Delivers Florida Its 20th Win Of The Season
Florida edged Oregon to earn its fourth victory against a ranked opponent this season at the Judi Garman Classic.
Entering Thursday’s matchup at the Judi Garman Classic, Florida had not lost to Oregon since Tim Walton’s first year as head coach.
REPLAY | Florida vs Oregon
Breaking: They still haven’t.
Kelly Barnhill enjoyed a bounce back performance in the circle, tossing a complete game three-hitter while allowing a lone run to cross the plate, as the Gators topped the Ducks, 2-1.
How To Watch | Judi Garman Classic
Through the first four innings, it was Barnhill and Oregon pitcher Jordan Dail going toe-to-toe, each escaping a little bit of trouble along the way, while generally mesmerizing opposing hitters.
We struck out just from watching this.
— FloSoftball (@FloSoftball) February 28, 2019
Jordan Dail?@OregonSB pic.twitter.com/Z4v4dilvdO
As the game entered a scoreless fifth inning, it was the Ducks who struck first courtesy of April Utecht, who crushed her third home run of the season over the left field wall to give Oregon a one-run lead.
It didn’t take long for Florida to answer.
With Jade Caraway aboard after reaching on an error, Kyndyl Lindaman smacked an RBI single back through the middle of the infield to tie the game. Two batters later, after a Jordan Roberts single, it was Jaimie Hoover who delivered the go-ahead run with an RBI base knock of her own.
Kendyl Lindaman ties it up for the Gators!
— FloSoftball (@FloSoftball) February 28, 2019
???@GatorsSB pic.twitter.com/xFVULAozmN
From there, it was up to Barnhill to keep the Ducks at bay and that’s exactly what the reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year was able to do, shutting out Oregon the rest of the way to secure Florida’s 20th victory over the season.
Oregon falls to 11-5 on the season.
Both teams will be in action for the remainder of the week as part of a loaded Judi Garman tournament field. Watch all of the action LIVE on FloSoftball.