Florida softball finally explodes offensively, rolls past Arkansas to tie series

As the temperatures warmed Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas, so did Florida softball’s bats.

The Gators exploded for 12 runs – an SEC high – in game two of the series vs. the Razorbacks to win 12-6 and set up a rubber match Sunday at Bogle Park.

The Hogs took the first bite of the apple Saturday with a solo home run in the first inning from Brinli Bain vs. Katelynn Oxley. The Gators offense had Oxley’s back though and tallied a quick three in the second off one swing from Ella Wesolowski.

UF never relinquished the lead, and in fact, it built on it. Kendall Grover homered an inning later, and Cassidy McLellan scored two in the fifth to put Florida ahead 7-1.

UA, though, refused to go quietly into the night. Two hits, two walks and a hit by pitch resulted in four runs. An inning later, Atalyia Rijo made it 7-6.

The Gators appeared ready to sweat out a close win, but the offense saved its best fireworks for last. They recorded five runs, beginning with Kenleigh Cahalan’s first pitch home run. With two outs, Florida generated more – helped by a Razorback error. In total, UF scored another four runs on singles from Townsen Thomas and Taylor Schumaker and a double from Madison Walker.

Florida doubled six times Saturday, its most in an SEC game since March 2008.

The decisive game three between both teams begins at 2 p.m. on SEC Network+.

Florida softball vs Arkansas Game 2 live updates

Arkansas cuts into UF lead significantly | B5

Razorbacks tally four runs in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a single, a fielder’s choice and a two RBI double. All the runs came with Olivia Miller in the circle, who replaced Katelynn Oxley. Keagan Rothrock comes in the sixth with the Gators up 7-5.

Gators build lead on Hogs | T5

Florida gets a second home run from the bottom three of the lineup as Cassidy McLellan goes yard for a two run bomb to put UF ahead 7-1 into the bottom of the fifth

Florida softball responds after Arkansas strikes first | T2

Ella Wesolowski breaks out of the end of the lineup slump with a three run home run. UF leads 3-1 after a Razorback homer in the bottom of the first.

Florida softball vs Arkansas start times

Game 1: Friday, March 27, 7 p.m.

Game 2: Saturday, March 28, 8 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m.

How to watch Florida softball vs Arkansas

Games 1 will be on ESPN2. Games 2 and 3 can be streamed on SEC Network +.

Stream Florida softball games

Game 1: Florida softball 2, Arkansas 6

Facing a ranked squad on the road for the first time in 2026, one inning killed Florida softball.

The Gators allowed four runs in the fifth inning to fall 6-2 to Arkansas in game one of their three-game SEC series at Bogle Park in Fayetteville.

Keagan Rothrock ran into trouble from the start but escaped until the third inning. The Hogs tallied two on a two RBI single from Tianna Bell.

Florida itself was hitless until the fifth inning. Ella Wesolowski’s double helped put a run on the board, but the trio of pitchers (Rothrock, Olivia Miller and Alison Sparkman) gave up five hits and two walks as the Razorbacks scored four.

A run in the sixth inning helped, but Madison Walker grounded into a double play to end any comeback chance for the Gators.

It’s UF’s first road loss this season and second in SEC play. First pitch Saturday as Florida looks to set up a rubber match Sunday is set for 8 p.m. from the Natural State.

Florida softball vs Arkansas Game 1 live updates

Kenleigh Cahalan drives run in for Florida | T6

Two walks and a single from Cahalan drive in a run, but Madison Walker grounds into a double play. Gators don't add any more runs.

Arkansas blows game open | B5

Florida getting into three ball counts and putting runners on base finally kills it. Rothrock got pulled in favor of Olivia Miller with the bases loaded and one out. Miller got an out with a sac fly, but after a walk, Walton brought in Allison Sparkman. She allowed three hits and three runs.

Florida softball gets one run back | T5

Gators finally get a hit, and then a double from Ella Wesolowski puts runners on second and third. Pinch hitter Giulia Desiderio walks to load the bases, and Towsen Thomas reaches on an error to score Madison Walker from third. Taylor Shumaker grounds out to end the inning.

Arkansas takes lead on Florida softball | B3

Two walks and a single prove costly for Keagan Rothrock — who loads the bases with two outs — and Tianna Bell makes the Gators pay with a two RBI single. In the circle, UF is hitless vs Arkansas ace Robyn Herron.

Florida softball vs Arkansas Game 1 starting lineups

1. CF Townsen Thomas
2. RF Taylor Shumaker
3. C Jocelyn Erickson
4. 3B Kendall Grover
5. SS Kenleigh Cahalan
6. 1B Madison Walker
7. LF Cassidy McLellan
8. DP Ella Wesolowski
9. 2B Gabi Comia

Starting pitcher is Keagan Rothrock.

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 at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida softball finally explodes offensively, rolls past Arkansas to tie series

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