In 2021 Florida won their ninth regular-season SEC Title. The Gators went 45-11 overall and 19-5 in the SEC. It seems like every year Florida’s softball program is always in the conversation about teams that could win the National Championship and this year is no different.

Florida’s 2022 roster is a mix of 16 returning players and a group of talented freshmen, Cali Decker, Lexie Delbrey, Kendra Falby, Sam Roe, and Reagan Walsh.

Gone from this year’s team will be the big bat of Kendyl Lindaman. But the Gators still have Charla Echols who had 15 home runs, 55 RBI’s, and a .375 batting average in 2021.

Florida returns most of its pitching staff including ace Elizabeth Hightower. Last season she went 17-6 W-L with 121 strikeouts and had a 1.61 ERA. Natalie Lugo is back too. Lugo was 17-3 W-L with a 1.74 ERA. Rylee Trlicek should see more action this year, having only pitched 22.2 innings in 2021. Also joining the staff for 2022 is graduate transfer from FGCU, Marissa Mesiemore, and highly touted freshmen Lexie Delbrey.

Alabama transfer Skylar Wallace who had to sit out play last year is ready to take over at shortstop this season. Besides her fielding talents, Wallace is good with a bat and has the speed to steal lots of bases for the Gators.

Florida opens its 2022 season Friday, Feb. 11, at 5:30 p.m. against Illinois State in Tampa, Fla. at USF’s tournament. The Gator’s first home game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium is set for Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. against Jacksonville.

Look for the Florida Gators to make another strong run at an SEC title on the way to a deep run come NCAA Tournament time.