Florida Softball Sweeps USF-Rawlings Invitational to Open 2026 Season

The Gators dominated the competition, outscoring opponents 37-4 over the 5-game weekend tournament.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The sixth-ranked Florida softball team opened the 2026 season with a perfect 5-0 record, sweeping the USF-Rawlings Invitational in Tampa. The Gators outscored their opponents 37-4 over the three-day tournament, with two shutout victories and only one opponent scoring more than one run. Florida's pitching staff posted a microscopic 0.59 ERA, and the team hit .362 with a 1.028 OPS, including 14 doubles and 6 home runs.

Why it matters

Florida softball is one of the top programs in the country, and this dominant start to the season sets them up well for a potential run at the national championship. The Gators' impressive performance on both sides of the ball shows they have the talent and depth to compete with any team in the nation.

The details

Over the 5-game sweep, Florida batted .362 with a 1.028 OPS, slugging 14 doubles and 6 home runs. The pitching staff posted a 0.59 ERA, allowing just 13 hits, 7 walks, and striking out 39 batters in 34 innings. Defensively, the Gators recorded 102 putouts, 23 assists, and turned 14 double plays with a .984 fielding percentage.

  • The tournament took place over the weekend of February 6-8, 2026.
  • Florida's next game is a trip to Jacksonville to take on the Dolphins on Tuesday, February 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. ET.

The players

Kenleigh Cahalan

A senior infielder who led the team in total bases with 14 over the weekend, including 3 doubles and a home run.

Keagan Rothrock

A junior pitcher who started 3 of the 5 games, including a 4-inning no-hit shutout against Illinois State and a complete game 1-run effort against Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“This dominant start to the season sets us up well for a potential run at the national championship. The team's performance on both sides of the ball shows we have the talent and depth to compete with any team in the nation.”

— Kenleigh Cahalan, Senior Infielder (Gators Wire)

What’s next

Florida's next game is a trip to Jacksonville to take on the Dolphins on Tuesday, February 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

The takeaway

Florida softball's dominant performance at the USF-Rawlings Invitational to open the 2026 season shows they are poised for another deep postseason run. With a balanced attack and stifling pitching, the Gators have the makings of a national championship contender.