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Florida returns to WCWS for 13th time after 5-2 win over Georgia

Grace Johnsonby: Grace Johnson05/26/25
Screenshot 2025-05-25 at 5.03.36 PM
Photo courtesy of Florida Athletics

Florida punched its ticket to Oklahoma City with a 5-2 win over Georgia on Sunday, marking the Gators’ 13th Women’s College World Series appearance since 2008.

Pitchers Keagan Rothrock and Lilli Backes both returned to the circle for the second straight day. Rothrock made her third consecutive start, while Backes looked to build on her dominant outing in Georgia’s Saturday win. But this time, the roles reversed.

Backes failed to record an out, while Rothrock turned in a complete-game gem. The Florida sophomore allowed just four hits and struck out five, continuing her standout sophomore campaign.

Florida wasted no time getting on the board. In the first inning, Backes walked Kendra Falby, who promptly stole second. Taylor Shumaker, hitless in her last eight at-bats during Super Regionals, stepped up and delivered an RBI single to give the Gators a 1-0 lead.

After Reagan Walsh singled, Georgia made an early pitching change, bringing in Randi Roelling. She held the Gators scoreless for the rest of the inning.

The game was delayed due to lightning in the middle of the fourth. After the hour-long weather delay, the floodgates really opened up for Florida in the fifth. 

Mia Williams reached on a fielder’s choice in the fifth, setting the stage for Rylee Holtorf. Batting just 1-for-10 in the postseason, Holtorf broke her slump with a two-run homer off Roelling to extend the lead to 3-0. Shumaker followed with more fireworks. After Falby reached on a bunt single, Shumaker launched her 22nd home run of the season, extending the lead to 5-0.

Both Shumaker and Holtorf stepped up when the Gators needed it most. Shumaker finished 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs, while Holtorf went 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

Down 5-0 in the seventh, the Bulldogs still had some fight left. Holtorf’s fielding error allowed Tyler Ellison to reach base, and Jaydyn Goodwin followed with a deep drive to right for a two-run homer.

But Rothrock shut the door. She forced two ground balls and a pop-up to end the threat and send the Gators back to the WCWS.

The Gators will make their second trip in a row to Oklahoma City. 

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