2008 Florida Gators softball | |
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SEC Regular Season Champions
SEC Tournament Champions |
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SEC Tournament Championship Game, W 4-1 vs. Alabama
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Conference | Southeastern Conference |
East | |
2008 record | 70-5 (27-1 SEC) |
Head coach | Tim Walton |
Assistant coach | Jennifer Rocha, Jenny Gladding |
Home stadium | Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium |
The 2008 Gators went 70-5 overall and 27-1 in SEC play. The 70 wins set an NCAA single season record and Florida, named the #1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, advanced to the semifinals of the Women's College World Series. They also were the SEC regular season and tournament champions. Five Gators were named All-Americans (Stacey Nelson, Kim Waleszonia, Aja Paculba, Francesca Enea, and Ali Gardiner) and Junior pitcher Stacey Nelson was the SEC Pitcher of the Year.
The 2007 Florida Gators finished second in the SEC East and made it to the SEC Tournament title game before losing to LSU. They were also invited to host Regionals of the NCAA Tournament. After breezing through the Gainesville Regional, the Gators lost the three-game series to Texas A&M 2-1.
The 2008 Gators started the season ranked No. 13 in the NFCA/USA Today poll. They returned All-Americans Stacey Nelson and Kim Waleszonia as well as six other starters from the 2007 team.
The 2008 Florida Gators softball team had 1 senior, 8 juniors, 3 sophomores, and 8 freshmen.
Head Coach: Tim Walton (3rd season)
Assistant Coaches: Jennifer Rocha (3rd season), Jenny Gladding (2nd season)
Athletic Trainer: Scott Schenker
Student Trainer: Arielle Gavdosh
Strength & Conditioning Coordinator: Steven Orris
Academic Counselor: Tony Meacham
Staff Assistant: Brittany Souilliard
Managers: Crystal Sleeman and Kip Collins