PENSACOLA, Fla. – UWF Softball (20-12, 9-6) plays its first series of a two-weekend home stretch when they host the Shorter Hawks (2-29, 1-17) this weekend.
The Argos have swept two-straight GSC series against Christian Brothers and Delta State and have elevated themselves to a tie for the fifth best conference record. They run-ruled their opponent in four of the six games over that span, outscoring opponents 66-17.
They also scored a season-high 14 runs in the third inning of game three against Delta State. The Argos are top three in the GSC in almost all hitting categories and lead in slugging percentage thanks to their continuing success in extra base hits, specifically doubles and home runs.
West Florida has a 14-17 all-time record against the Hawks, with recent matchups going in favor of the Argos. UWF is on a five-game win streak and hasn't lost a series to Shorter since 2016. They most recently swept Shorter in Rome, GA in March of last year. The Argos have a chance to tie up the overall record if they win all three games scheduled this weekend.
Nation recognition continues:
UWF Softball players have now been featured on the NFCA selected top performer's list for four straight weeks with
Jessica Ford's name being the most recent addition to the list. Her two home runs in one inning last weekend against Delta State earned her the national recognition. Ford joins
Jessie Baughan,
Emma Brice,
Hannah Harper,
Madelyn Vasquez, and
Montana Young as UWF selections to the NFCA top performers list.
The Tucci/NFCA Player & Pitcher of the Year Watchlist was also released Thursday, with Vasquez representing the Argos on the list. Vasquez is top 15 in most hitting statistics including batting average (.419), OPS (1.361), hits (39), doubles (12), home runs (9) and RBI (35) and leads the Argos in just as many stat categories.
Weekend Schedule:
Friday, March 29 (DH): 1:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. CT - Bingo Night
Saturday March 30: 1:00 p.m. CT – Easter Egg Hunt Sponsored by JC's Pressure Washing
Scouting Shorter:
The Hawks are led by head coach Kelsey Hodgson Hogan who enters her fifth season as head coach. They currently sit at the bottom of the GSC standing with only one conference win in 2024 which came early in the season against West Georgia. They just came off a weekend hosting no. 10 Mississippi College where Shorter dropped all three games in the series.
The Hawks have five pitchers who have all started at least one game this season, with sophomore Rylee Gattis being the starter for both wins Shorter has this season. She leads their bullpen with a 6.43 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and 81 innings pitched. Alana Loyd is the Hawks secondary option and has the second most starts with nine. Her 9.98 ERA and 40 innings pitched are also both second on the team.
Gattis is also one of the Hawks' most effective hitters in 2024, as she leads the team with 17 runs, eight home runs, and 20 RBI. Her .351 batting average is second amongst regular starters in the Shorter lineup. Other top contributors also include Ashton Stevens and Kaylee George who are top three in hits, doubles and batting average on the team.
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Broadcasts and live stats available on GoArgos.com
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