Florida advanced to the championship game of the UF Hotel and Conference Center Invitational after defeating Hofstra 3-0 Saturday evening at Florida Softball Stadium in front of 613 fans.

Florida improves to 6-4 on the season and is 4-0 in this weekend's tournament. The Gators defeated No. 9 Washington 3-2 earlier in the day.

Amanda Knowles (3-0) earned the win for Florida, and Sara DeAngelis (0-4) received the loss for Hofstra.

"When we play great defense, we always have a chance to win," Florida coach Karen Johns said following the win. "The players know that and we preach it. They really stepped up."

Prissie Walden was 2-for-3 for Florida, including a solo home run and a double. Mylin Prieto also was 2-for-3 and is 6-for-7 this weekend.

Florida scored one run in the first, fourth and sixth inning and took advantage of the five-hit pitching performance put on by Knowles and Amanda Moore, who relieved her in the fifth inning.

With the basses loaded and two outs in the first inning, Mandy Schuerman scored on an errant throw by Hofstra's third baseman after Prissie Walden reached first base on a fielder's choice.

Walden helped the Gators again in the fourth with her solo home run to left-center field with no outs.

In the sixth inning with the basses loaded and no outs after Jennifer Mossadeghi's single, Walden's double and a walk to Andrea Zimbardi, pinch hitter Jenn Brown dropped a single into left field to bring in Mossadeghi. Florida was threatening to score later in the inning, but stranded two runners on base after hitting into a double play.

Hofstra's best chance to score came in the sixth inning, but smart Florida fielding preserved the shutout. Florida shortstop Jackie Marchetta threw out a Hofstra runner at third base to end the inning with two Hofstra runners stranded on base.

Hofstra (0-4) was led by Danielle Stewart's 2-for-3 performance, including a double.

Florida plays in the championship game of the UF Hotel and Conference Center Invitational Sunday at 12:30 against the winner of the UT- Chattanooga-Washington game.