Freshmen shine as Florida softball tops Missouri to win program's 6th SEC Tournament title

AUBURN — For the sixth time in program history and for the first time since 2019, Florida softball has won an SEC Tournament title.

Courtesy of some strong pitching from freshman Keagan Rothrock and a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning from fellow freshman Mia Williams that sailed over the scoreboard in left field, the No. 2-seeded Gators topped No. 5 Missouri at Jane B. Moore Field on Saturday, 6-1 .

Florida (46-12) has now won eight consecutive contests, a streak that dates back to April 28. The Gators won their three SEC Tournament games − over No. 7 Georgia, No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 5 Missouri (43-15) − by a combined score of 22-8. Williams also hit a three-run shot in Florida's triumph against the Aggies on Friday. She entered the postseason with three homers on the season.

Rothrock tossed a total of 19.2 innings in the tournament, scattering 18 hits and allowing eight runs (six earned) as she started all three games. She also struck out 14 batters and walked two.

All of Florida's tournament championships have come under the direction of coach Tim Walton.

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Kendra Falby's clutch catch keeps Missouri softball off the board

With runners on first and second and one out in the third inning, Missouri's Kayley Lenger sent a deep shot into center field. Nearing the wall, Florida center fielder Kendra Falby made a leaping catch at the warning track and fired the ball back to the infield to stave off the Tigers.

Rothrock took advantage of the flashy leather, inducing a fly out during the next at-bat to leave both Missouri runners stranded. The Tigers ultimately left seven runners on base. Their lone run of the game came via a sacrifice fly off the bat of Stefania Abruscato that scored Maddie Gallagher in the fourth frame.

Skylar Wallace adds insurance for Florida softball

Redshirt senior Skylar Wallace notched three RBIs against Missouri, with the first coming as she reached on an error that scored Korbe Otis in the third inning. She also launched a two-run home run in the fifth inning to put the game out of reach. Wallace now has 59 RBIs on the season, tied with Reagan Walsh for the second most on the Gators.

What's next

The Gators will find out their NCAA Tournament fate during the selection show Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

Richard Silva is a sports reporter for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Florida softball's Keagan Rothrock excels in SEC Tournament finale