OKLAHOMA CITY - The No. 1-seeded University of Florida softball team used one run in the first, two in the third, two in the fourth and two in the seventh to take the 2015 Women's College World Series opener between the Gators (56-6) and the eighth-seeded Lady Vols (47-16), 7-2, in front of a large crowd at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
After a quick first inning in the circle for the National Player of the Year Lauren Haeger (2-for-2), the senior extended her UF and Southeastern Conference-career home run record to 69 with a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the frame.
Florida's lead remained at 1-0 until freshman Kayli Kvistad launched her sixth home run of the season into the right-center field seats in the third. The long ball was a two-run shot as Taylore Fuller worked a walk to set the table for the rookie.
However, Tennessee struck back in the top of the fourth with a two-run bomb by sophomore Megan Geer to cut the UF lead to 3-2. Those runs marked the first tally's any team has scored on the Gators during this postseason.
Undaunted, UF answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to extend its lead back to three runs (5-2). Two singles, a hit-by-pitch and an errant throw from UT's catcher on a stolen base attempt fueled the Gators two-out excursion.
The Gators tacked two more insurance runs in the seventh to bring us to our final score of 7-2.
In the circle for the Gators, Haeger (29-1) tossed a complete game, while striking out four and allowing just the two Volunteer runs. The Peoria, Ariz. product saw her consecutive scoreless innings streak snapped at 32.3 frames with that Volunteer long ball. During the streak, Haeger allowed just 10 hits, striking out 25 batters and walking just three.
***Florida Athletics
