GAINESVILLE — A hitless day by Florida slugger Taylor Shumaker didn’t help Georgia Tech during the Yellow Jackets’ NCAA regional softball loss Saturday to the Gators.
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It proved costly Sunday, when Shumaker was ready to pounce.
The sophomore accounted for Florida’s first three runs — highlighted by a two-run home run in the second inning — as the No. 6 Gators defeated Georgia Tech 5-2 on a blistering hot day at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium to advance to the Super Regionals.
“She’s wired differently,” coach Tim Walton said. “She’s a special, special athlete.”
Florida (51-10) will host the winner between Texas Tech and Ole Miss in a Super Regional as the Gators seek their 13th Women’s College World Series appearance under Walton. The Super Regional games will be Thursday through next Sunday, with the exact schedule still to be determined.
The Red Raiders and Rebels are playing Sunday in Lubbock, with regional host Texas Tech needing one more win in the double-elimination format after rallying from an 8-0 deficit to win 10-9 on Saturday.
Walton’s Gators did not need dramatics to continue their dominance at home during the NCAA’s opening round.
Behind Shumaker and pitcher Keegan Rothrock, Florida methodically dispatched of Georgia Tech (32-29) and improved to 36-1 at home in NCAA Regional play since 2012 — the last season Walton’s program failed to reach a Super Regional. During that stretch, the Gators have outscored opponents 268-17.
Rothrock’s no-hit bid ended in the sixth inning after two walks and a two-run double by Georgia Tech cleanup hitter Addison Leschber cut Florida’s lead to 5-2. But one day after shutting out the Yellow Jackets 8-0 in five innings, Rothrock (28-6) walked five but made winning pitches when it mattered.
“She just has this aura to her,” second baseman Gabi Coma said. “She just carries herself so well.”
Walton said the Gators ace “carried us through this weekend.”
Shumaker provided the offensive punch during a five-RBI day Friday against Florida A&M. The Gators picked up the slack a day later, boosting Shumaker’s confidence and determination.
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“The fact that I can go hitless and my team can still put up a bunch of runs is something that just allows you to play so free,” she said. “I can have a bad day and still the other people around me are going to find a way to get it done.”
Shumaker set the tone Sunday, opening the bottom of the first inning with a double and scoring the game’s first run on a fielder’s choice.
She then hit a two-run opposite-field home run in the second inning to push Florida’s advantage to 3-0 and give her 18 home runs in 2026 and 40 in her young career, 10th all-time at UF. The 20-year-old from Southern California then drew a walk to open the fourth inning and scored on a single by Townsen Thomas to give Florida a 4-0 lead. It was the 87th run scored by Shumaker in 2026, three shy of Skyler Wallace’s school record (90, 2024).
After going 0-for-3 Saturday, Shumaker was ready to bounce back after a Sunday film session with longtime assistant coach Aric Thomas.
“Nobody knows they’re more 0-fer than Taylor,” Walton said. “She’s pissed.”
Thomas, playing in her first NCAA Regional, experienced her own emotional roller-coaster, culminating with a 2-of-4 Sunday as Florida managed just six hits.
“She might have been a tick nervous on Friday,” Walton said. “She hadn’t been done it before. But today she was locked in.”
Walton’s players usually are this time of year. For the 53-year-old coach, postseason runs are appreciated, not expected — even after guiding Florida to a Super Regional for the 17th time in 21 seasons.
“You can’t take this stuff for granted,” he said. “It’s really hard to do that when you’ve been here for so long. Everybody just expects this is what it’s going to be like, and I expect it to.
“It isn’t always as easy as it looks. After the game you realize it’s a big deal. It’s really hard to do and I’m proud of that.”
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Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]