OKLAHOMA CITY — Jocelyn Erickson hit a home run and drove in four runs to lead No. 4 seed Florida to a 6-4 victory over No. 14 Alabama on Sunday night. The win advances Florida to the Women’s College World Series semifinals and eliminates the Crimson Tide.
Korbe Otis and Ariel Kowalewski each contributed with two hits for the Gators (53-14) in a game that was delayed for three hours due to rain and lightning.
Florida will now face three-time defending national champion Oklahoma in the semifinals on Monday. The Gators will need to defeat the Sooners twice to reach the best-of-three championship series, while Oklahoma only needs one win to advance.
Erickson, who plays as a catcher, won a national championship with Oklahoma last season before transferring to Florida. She will now have to face her former team in order to win another championship.
Florida pitcher Keagan Rothrock bounced back from a tough outing against Texas the previous night. The freshman pitcher allowed three earned runs on seven hits and now leads the nation with 32 wins.
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Kayla Beaver started for Alabama and gave up two runs on six hits in four innings. Jocelyn Briski took the loss in relief for the Crimson Tide (39-20).
Alabama scored first in the second inning. Bailey Dowling reached base on an error and later scored on a groundout by Riley Valentine.
Florida tied the game in the third inning when Erickson’s single brought home Skylar Wallace. Otis then scored on a fielder’s choice to give the Gators a 2-1 lead.
Alabama equalized in the third inning when Marlie Giles singled to bring home Lauren Johnson.
Reagan Walsh singled to drive in a run in the fifth inning, putting Florida back in the lead.
In the sixth inning, with runners on first and third and two outs, Erickson faced a new pitcher in Alea Johnson. Erickson hit a home run to centerfield, extending Florida’s lead to 6-2.
Alabama fought back with Kali Heivilin’s RBI single in the sixth inning, making it 6-4. However, Rothrock retired the Crimson Tide in order in the seventh inning to secure the win for Florida.
