Florida softball enters the NCAA Gainesville Regional as the No. 6 seed despite recent struggles, having lost two of their last three games. Historically, the Gators have not lost a regional at home since 2012, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.
Key points
Florida softball is the No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament
The Gators lost two of three games against Georgia recently
Florida hasn't lost a regional at home since 2012
Tim Walton is the head coach of Florida softball
Florida has a strong postseason history
Mentioned in this story
NCAATim Walton
Florida Gators
A lot has changed for Florida softball since it last played at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
On April 28, the Gators beat rival Florida State at home for the first time in five years. Momentum, fresh off the programās best win in a month, was high.
Itās been crashing down in the two weeks since. Florida lost two of three in Athens to fellow rival Georgia, hung on to defeat under .500 Auburn and then were run-ruled by Alabama in the SEC Tournament. The NCAA Softball Tournament selection committee still awarded Florida the No. 6 overall seed and hosting in regionals and supers, but it isnāt the way anyone wanted to depart into the last few weeks of the season
However, if thereās any team that can refocus and lock in for the postseason, itās UF and legendary coach Tim Walton. Thatās what history shows.
Florida hasnāt lost a regional at home since 2012 and hasnāt even lost a home game since 2017. The Gators seem to have a knack for playing best when it matters most.
Will this regional be more of that, or will Texas State, Georgia Tech or Florida A&M upend the mighty Orange and Blue.
Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Q&A
What is Florida softball's recent performance leading up to the NCAA Gainesville Regional?
Florida softball lost two of three games against Georgia and was run-ruled by Alabama in the SEC Tournament before entering the NCAA Gainesville Regional.
When was the last time Florida softball lost a regional at home?
Florida softball has not lost a regional at home since 2012.
Who is the head coach of Florida softball?
The head coach of Florida softball is Tim Walton.
What seed did Florida softball receive in the NCAA tournament?
Florida softball received the No. 6 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.
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Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Gabi Comia (10) celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida catcher Ella Wesolowski (74) scores durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Kalie Matsuno (4) rounds third against Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) rounds third durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Former Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux chats with fans durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Former Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux chats with fans durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Destiny Rodriguez (34) hits durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Kenleigh Cahalan (31) gets Auburn outfielder Georgia Lessmann (5) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates an out durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates an out durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Townsen Thomas (44) hits Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Townsen Thomas (44) hits Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) misses tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Gabi Comia (10) hits durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) takes the pitch durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) takes the pitch durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Kendall Grover (12) canāt beat the throw to Auburn 44 at first durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida catcher Jocelyn Erickson (8) celebrates making a run durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
1 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
1 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
2 / 22
Florida softball rallies past feisty Auburn in SEC Tournament classic
Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
3 / 22
Florida softball vs Auburn 2026 SEC Tournament live score, highlights
Florida infielder Gabi Comia (10) celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
4 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida catcher Ella Wesolowski (74) scores durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
5 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Kalie Matsuno (4) rounds third against Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
6 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) rounds third durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
7 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Former Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux chats with fans durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
8 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Former Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux chats with fans durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
9 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Auburn infielder Destiny Rodriguez (34) hits durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
10 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Kenleigh Cahalan (31) gets Auburn outfielder Georgia Lessmann (5) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
11 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates an out durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
12 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates an out durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
13 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Townsen Thomas (44) hits Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
14 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Townsen Thomas (44) hits Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
15 / 22
Florida softball regional prediction: Who has the edge in NCAA Gainesville Regional?
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) misses tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
16 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
17 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
18 / 22
Florida softball vs Auburn series live updates | Gators face Tigers in rubber match
Florida infielder Gabi Comia (10) hits durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
19 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) takes the pitch durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
20 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) takes the pitch durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
21 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Kendall Grover (12) canāt beat the throw to Auburn 44 at first durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
22 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida catcher Jocelyn Erickson (8) celebrates making a run durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Hereās our scouting report and predictions.
What will happen with Florida softballās pitching?
On April 15, after the Gators 9-6 win over Florida Gulf Coast, Walton said a second pitcher needed to step up to support All-SEC First Teamer Keagan Rothrock.
That hasnāt happened yet. Olivia Miller, Leah Stevens and Katelynn Oxley have all shown some flashes, but each struggled vs. Georgia and in the SEC Tournament. In the 9-1 loss to the Crimson Tide, Walton desperately tried each pitcher, but none could get the job done. Ava Brown briefly returned to the circle vs. Georgia, but she struggled.
Now, itās the postseason and Walton needs that second arm. It might not matter in the postseason as Texas State ā the Gators' most formidable foe ā wins more by pitching, but it will be an issue in a potential super regional vs. Texas Tech.
Can the Gators offense be more consistent in big moments?
All metrics indicate Florida holds a top 10 offense nationally, and the Gator bats are lethal. Thereās a reason four members were named First Team All-SEC.
Those bats, though, have been in a freezer the last month. In its last nine SEC or FSU games, Florida has scored one run or less four times.
Getting runners on base hasnāt been the problem. Itās been scoring those runs. In three of the four losses, UF left eight or more runners on base. Versus Alabama, it was 10 runners ā in five innings.
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) misses tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) misses tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
After the loss, Walton said it was āa tough way to go.ā
āPlenty of coaches will tell you the difference between winning and losing in the playoffs is getting that clutch hit,ā Walton said. āGetting that two out, two strike hit.ā
Texas State ace Maddy Azua ranks in the top 25 nationally in ERA and strikeouts, so the challenge will be tough. But she places second in innings pitched, so she might just run out of gas against Floridaās high-powered offense.
How much can Keagan Rothrock handle?
Overall, Rothrock has had an excellent 2026 season. Given the inconsistency with UFās No. 2 pitcher, sheās taken on a bigger workload than any other in the conference and was well worthy of the spot on First Team All-SEC.
But, if a second pitcher canāt elevate above the rest, the question for this weekend does need to be asked if how much Rothrock can handle given her injury concern.
Last season, she suffered a blister on her finger in the Super Regional against Georgia. The year before, Walton pushed her as far as he could in Oklahoma City.
Rothrockās talked about this season how sheās in better control of her body, and the next two weeks will be the biggest test of that.
Florida. The Gators have some flaws for sure, but betting against Walton in the postseason seems foolish. Texas State provides some challenges with its pitching and has beaten good teams, but thatās only happened in the Lone Star State. Under the high pressure of lights of KSP, Florida will advance to Supers once again with ease.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him atĀ nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on XĀ @Noah_ram1Ā and on InstagramĀ @Ramreporter.
