Jocelyn Erickson explains Florida's offensive approach in SEC Tournament quarterfinal win over Georgia

No. 2 Florida is moving on in the 2024 SEC Softball Tournament after their 9-4 victory over No. 7 Georgia this morning. It was a quality quarterfinal win for the Gators and Jocelyn Erickson, the Southeastern Conference’s Player of the Year, was glad to earn it to move on in the bracket.

Erickson spoke postgame with the SEC Network about the five-run victory over the Bulldogs down in Auburn. Of all their accomplishments the last week, as well as some waiting as a team over the past few days, Florida was just happy to get out on the field in Auburn and earn their 44th win of the year.

“The team winning (felt best),” said Erickson. “We love to see it, we love to beat the Bulldogs any day. Go Gators!”

“There’s been a lot of delays. We’ve just been having fun at the hotel together, going out to eat, and spending time together,” Erickson said. “We love each other.”

Erickson also had high praise for the play of her pitcher Keagan Rothrock, the SEC Freshman of the Year, today. She brings it every time she goes out to the mound and it’s something that the sophomore catcher can appreciate.

“Oh my gosh, it’s so fun. So much competitiveness in her,” said Erickson. “She just goes out there and owns the field every time.”

After a slow start for both teams, the scoring got going by the fifth inning. The two teams combined for five home runs during the fifth and sixth innings. However, Florida’s counted for more with them getting six runs compared to four from the Bulldogs. The biggest one actually came from Erickson herself. Her homer, the dozenth of her season, brought in half of those runs with three

Since the Gators already had a 2-0 lead after the first and through the fourth, that was all it took to secure the victory and move on to the semifinals tonight.

Even with a short turnaround, Erickson has faith in her team going into the next contest against either No. 3 Texas A&M or No. 11 South Carolina. She trusts that enough of them, if only one, will do what’s necessary to get them into the SEC Championship on Saturday afternoon.

“I think we just have to find a way no matter what. Someone’s going to come up with a big hit, someone’s going to come up with a big out,” said Erickson. “We just have to trust each other and depend on each other.”