Jocelyn Erickson on her home run: 'I knew I needed to come up big for my team'

With Florida holding on to a one-run lead in the top of the sixth inning against Alabama, Jocelyn Erickson provided the play that propelled the Gators to victory. The sophomore stepped up to the plate with two on and connected with a pitch for a home run that flew over the center field fence.

The three-run shot proved to be all Florida needed as it went on to a 6-4 win to keep its season alive in the Women’s College World Series. Speaking with ESPN’s Holly Rowe postgame, Erickson discussed her mindset as she approached the plate to face Crimson Tide pitcher Jocelyn Briski.

“We had played them earlier in the season,” she said. “She didn’t pitch against us, but we scouted them. I knew I needed to come up big for my team and I love them with my whole heart.”

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Florida fell behind 1-0 early but quickly responded with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. It never trailed from that moment on despite the game remaining close throughout.

Erickson finished the contest 2-for-3 at the plate and with four RBI. She was one of three Gators players to record double digit hits as seven of the nine players in the lineup connected at least once.

Florida ended the game with 10 hits as a team, and Erickson addressed the success from top to bottom.

“I think it was just our motto all season was ‘trust in one another,”‘ she said. “We were passing the bat today and I think that’s what mattered.”

Florida also got an impressive outing from its defense. Keagan Rothrock got the start and played a full game at pitcher, throwing five strikeouts and allowing only seven hits. One of those strikeouts came in the final inning as she also forced a flyout for the final out of the game.

Rothrock also got the start in the Gators’ opening game of the WCWS, striking out three and allowing only two hits in a win against Oklahoma State.

“Just confidence,” Erickson said of her pitcher. “She’s owning her pitches. The whole confidence factor. She’s just amazing. She’s stunned me this whole entire season. I’ve seen her growth and I’m just really proud of her.”

With the win, Florida moves on to face three-time defending national champion Oklahoma at noon ET on Monday. The Gators must beat the Sooners twice if they hope to advance to the WCWS finals.

Erickson remains confident after their performance Sunday.

“I think this whole season no one really knew what the Gators were gonna be,” she said. “We just came at it and we kept growing and we’re climbing this hill. I don’t think we’re done yet.”