Florida Softball Continues NCAA Regional Domination in Georgia Tech Rout

Florida softball advanced to the Gainesville Regional finals on May 16, 2026, after securing an 8-0 run-rule victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The win, which took place at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, marked the second consecutive run-rule win for the Gators in the tournament.

Shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan provided a pivotal spark for the Florida offense during the matchup. Entering the game without a career NCAA Tournament home run, Cahalan broke the deadlock in the top of the third inning. Following an 11-pitch at-bat, she hit a three-run home run that shifted the momentum in favor of the Gators.

The offensive surge continued in the third inning when Cassidy McLellan contributed an RBI triple. Florida further extended its lead in the fourth inning through a combination of hits and aggressive baserunning, including an RBI double by Ava Brown and an RBI single by Townsen Thomas, who also successfully stole home.

The Gators finalized the scoring in the top of the fifth inning when Ava Brown drew a bases-loaded walk to bring the final score to 8-0.

On the mound, Kegan Rothrock delivered a dominant performance to keep Georgia Tech off the scoreboard. Rothrock pitched five scoreless frames, allowing four hits and one walk while hitting one batter. She recorded four strikeouts during the outing, bringing her total to eight scoreless frames for the tournament thus far.

Florida’s defensive success on May 16 followed a similar pattern from earlier in the regional. On May 14, 2026, the Gators defeated the Florida A&M Aggies with a 12-0 mercy-rule victory. As of the conclusion of the Georgia Tech game, Florida has not allowed a single run throughout the weekend’s competition.

The Gators now move into the championship phase of the Gainesville Regional. They are scheduled to face the winner of Saturday’s loser’s bracket matchups on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in a championship game set for 12:00 p.m. ET.

Because the event is a double-elimination tournament, Florida maintains a safety net. If the Gators lose the noon game on Sunday, they will have a final opportunity to advance in a second game scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.