With a composed, timely performance powered by clutch pitching and an opportunistic offense, Florida defeated Georgia 5-2 in the decisive Game 3 of the NCAA Super Regionals on Sunday, punching their ticket to the Women’s College World Series for the 13th time in program history. In front of a raucous home crowd at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, the Gators delivered a balanced and emotionally charged performance that highlighted both their veteran leadership and postseason poise.
This trip to Oklahoma City didn’t come easy. Facing a gritty Georgia squad loaded with power and momentum, Florida had to dig deep to come out on top in the rubber match. After splitting the first two games—Florida taking the opener and Georgia storming back in Game 2—the stage was set for a dramatic Sunday showdown, and the Gators delivered in every phase.
Freshman pitcher Keagan Rothrock, who has grown up quickly during the postseason, turned in a composed, clutch performance on the mound. Tasked with the pressure of facing Georgia’s high-powered offense with a World Series berth on the line, Rothrock struck out six and scattered six hits over seven strong innings. She showcased poise beyond her years, expertly mixing speeds and inducing weak contact to keep the Bulldogs off-balance. Despite allowing a two-run home run to Georgia slugger Jayda Kearney in the sixth, Rothrock never wavered, calmly finishing what she started and slamming the door in the seventh with a trio of groundouts to secure the victory.
The win marked Rothrock’s 29th of the season and may have been her most important yet. The freshman ace entered the Super Regional with questions about how she’d handle the moment, but she answered them with authority. Her pitch command, particularly her off-speed offerings, helped neutralize a Georgia lineup that had hit 101 home runs entering the series.
On offense, Florida played clean, opportunistic softball—taking advantage of defensive miscues and making Georgia pay for every mistake. In the third inning, the Gators broke through after a scoreless opening stretch, capitalizing on back-to-back singles and a sacrifice bunt. With two runners in scoring position, Skylar Wallace laced a double into the right-center gap to bring home two. Wallace, the heart and soul of this Florida team and a finalist for National Player of the Year, roared as she reached second, pumping her fists and firing up a Gators dugout that erupted in cheers.
The Gators weren’t done yet. Wallace came around to score later in the inning on a bloop single by Jocelyn Erickson that just evaded the outstretched glove of Georgia second baseman Sydney Chambley. Suddenly, the scoreboard read 3-0, and the Gators had seized control.
In the fifth inning, Florida tacked on two more insurance runs, taking advantage of Georgia’s struggles in the field. A fielding error, followed by an infield single and a fielder’s choice, loaded the bases for Kendra Falby. The junior outfielder delivered with a sharp single through the left side, scoring one. A wild pitch later in the inning brought home another, and Florida led 5-0 heading to the sixth.
Georgia, to its credit, didn’t go quietly. Kearney’s two-run blast in the sixth briefly gave the Bulldogs life, but Rothrock responded with three consecutive outs to end the inning without further damage. In the seventh, she made quick work of the top of the Georgia order, inducing a weak grounder, a pop-up, and a routine ground ball to short to end it.
As the final out was recorded, the Florida dugout emptied, swarming the mound in a jubilant celebration. Head coach Tim Walton, now in his 19th season at the helm, raised both arms in triumph before embracing his staff. It was another milestone for Walton, who has now guided Florida to 13 Women’s College World Series appearances, including national titles in 2014 and 2015.
This 2025 Gators squad has been a unique blend of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance. Wallace, Falby, and Erickson have been the core heartbeat, combining for over 200 hits this season and playing with a fearless edge that embodies the Gator standard. But it’s the rise of Rothrock, the first-year phenom who has gone from promising prospect to postseason workhorse, that has perhaps been the story of the tournament for Florida.
Against a potent Georgia lineup, the Gators’ defense also shined. With every routine play made and no errors on the scorecard, Florida kept pressure off Rothrock and ensured no extra opportunities for the Bulldogs. Katie Kistler made a pair of diving catches in center field, each met with thunderous applause from the home fans, and Wallace turned a slick double play in the fifth that snuffed out a budding Georgia rally.
Georgia’s run ends in heartbreak, but the Bulldogs showed resolve throughout the weekend. Led by head coach Tony Baldwin, Georgia finished the season 44-18 and made its second Super Regional appearance in the last three seasons. Kearney, Sara Mosley, and Sydney Kuma provided power and consistency throughout the year, and their departure will leave a significant void in the lineup. The Bulldogs came into Gainesville with hopes of reaching their first WCWS since 2016, but the Gators proved to be a complete, battle-tested team that was just too much to overcome.
For Florida, the road continues in Oklahoma City. They’ll enter the Women’s College World Series as one of the sport’s blue-blood programs, boasting not just tradition but real momentum. With Rothrock ascending, Wallace peaking at just the right time, and a lineup full of versatile hitters and speedy baserunners, Florida looks like a legitimate title contender.
This return to the World Series carries added meaning for players like Wallace and Falby, who experienced the sting of early postseason exits in years past. The leadership core made it clear during fall practice that anything less than Oklahoma City would be a disappointment. That fire has burned all season, and now, as they prepare for the sport’s biggest stage, it’s evident that Florida is peaking at the perfect time.
Coach Walton praised his team’s grit and unity after the win, saying, “This team doesn’t flinch. We’ve had our backs against the wall multiple times this year, but every single time, they’ve answered. I’m so proud of the way they’ve fought, the way they’ve come together. This is a special group, and we’re not done yet.”
Wallace, who has anchored the team both at the plate and in the field, echoed her coach’s sentiment. “This is why we came to Florida,” she said, still wearing her celebratory goggles postgame. “To play in these moments, to be in the biggest games. We believed in each other from the start. Now we’re going back to OKC, and we’re going with a mission.”
That mission will face its toughest tests yet. The Women’s College World Series features the nation’s elite—Oklahoma, Texas, UCLA, and others—all gunning for the same crown. But if Sunday’s performance is any indication, Florida has the combination of pitching, defense, and timely hitting required to compete with anyone.
As the Gators prepare to board the plane to Oklahoma, the feeling is familiar yet thrilling. Another World Series berth. Another chance to bring a championship back to Gainesville. Another team ready to chase glory.
