The Florida softball team was one out away from putting away Penn State 
and advancing to the semifinals in the championship bracket at the Troy 
Cox Classic Saturday evening.

The Gators (14-3) had a 3-2 come-from-behind lead with two outs and 
runners at second and third. Florida intentionally walked second baseman 
Allison Medellin to get to catcher Colleen Kersey. But, Kersey, who had 
struck out twice and walked, drove out a fastball down the middle for a 
grand slam.

It was one of only four hits that Gator pitcher Renise Landry (West 
Monroe, La./West Monroe) gave up in the loss. And, it made everyone 
watching forget Penn State’s four errors and Florida’s two superb wins 
earlier in the day. Landry is now 6-2 on the year.

The Gators defeated Wichita State 6-1 and host New Mexico State 12-4 in 
six innings to finish 3-1 in round-robin competition for the second seed 
in the Crimson pool. 

Against NMSU, Florida had eight different starters record hits, combining 
for a team season-high total of 14. Nicole Kreipl (Huntington Beach, 
Calif./Huntington Beach) led the way as she hit her second home run in as 
many days, a two-run shot, and finished the game 3-for-3 with a walk, 
three runs and two RBI. 

Pitcher Beth Dieter (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Philips) improved to 5-1 with the 
win. The senior gave up six hits, two earned runs and three walks, and 
struck out one batter through six innings. Freshman Nicole Michael 
(Phoenix, Ariz./Greenway) recorded the win against Wichita State. Michael, 
now 3-0 on the year, yielded just five hits and fanned four batters in six 
and two-thirds innings of work.

Lora Pinkerton (Phoenix, Ariz./Moon Valley) and Jenn Lutsi (Naples, 
Fla./Barron Colier) each went 2-for-4 at the plate against the Shockers. 
Pinkerton scored one run, and Lutsi added two and an RBI.

Florida is back in action March 3 against Illinois-Chicago at the NFCA 
Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. First pitch is set for noon.