GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 12^th-ranked Florida softball team dropped its midweek contest against in-state rival No. 16 Florida State, 12-3 (5 inning), Wednesday evening at Katie Seashole Pressly.

The Gators (37-11) struck first in the initial meeting against the Seminoles (37-10) in bottom of the second inning to go ahead 1-0. Sophomore Jocelyn Erickson reached via a leadoff hit-by-pitch and advanced to second on a groundout to third. Freshman Ava Brown plated Erickson in the ensuing at-bat as she drove 0-1 offering from Seminoles starting pitcher Mimi Gooden (4-0) off the top of the center field wall for an RBI double.

Brown was solid in the third and fourth innings in the circle as she only allowed a full-count leadoff walk in the top of the third and let the defense work behind her. In the fourth she retired the FSU side on just six pitches which included a highlight worthy catch from junior left fielder Korbe Otis to end the inning.

The Seminoles opted for a pitching change in the bottom fourth inning and brought in Emma Wilson in relief of Gooden to start the frame. Reagan Walsh ambushed the 2-0 pitch and sent a moonshot over the left center field wall for her 15^th home run of the season that gave the Gators a 2-0 lead.

Florida State stormed back to take the lead in the top of the fifth inning 12-2. FSU capitalized on three UF fielding errors and turned the opportunity into 12 runs on eight hits, that included a pair of home runs.

The Gators closed down the Seminoles lead to 12-3 in the bottom of the fifth as Skylar Wallace drew a leadoff walk and was later driven home by Walsh's RBI single to center field.

Florida looks to step back into Southeastern Conference action with a trip to Athens, Ga., to take on No. 11 Georgia this Friday through Sunday.

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