Skip to main content

Korbe Otis finds walk-off hit for Florida, receives AUSL Golden Ticket

by:Cooper Taylor•04/19/25
Screenshot 2025-04-19 at 1.52.16 PM
Courtesy of Florida Athletics

It was quite the day for Korbe Otis, who had the walk-off hit for No. 11 Florida in the Gators’ 4-3 win to beat No. 18 Alabama. She received the fourth Golden Ticket from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) made its way to Gainesville. Florida outfielder Korbe Otis joins Virginia Tech’s Emma Lemley, Duke’s Ana Gold and Arkansas’s Bri Ellis as the first four players of 12 to be drafted to the inaugural season.

Keagan Rothrock returned to the circle with authority Saturday, tallying seven strikeouts through 6.2 innings. Rothrock, making her second start of the weekend, struck out the side in the first. Alabama countered with Jocelyn Briski, who also worked a clean first inning.

The pitchers traded scoreless frames through five innings. Rothrock held Alabama to just one hit through four frames. Meanwhile, Briski worked around scattered hits and an error to keep Florida off the board.

The Crimson Tide broke through in the sixth when Larissa Preuitt singled and stole second, setting the stage for Kali Heivilin’s two-out RBI double to give Alabama a 1-0 lead. Florida quickly responded. Taylor Shumaker led off the home half of the inning with a double and scored on Jocelyn Erickson’s groundout. Mia Williams delivered with a two-out RBI double to the gap, putting the Gators up 2-1 after six innings.

Alabama fought back in the top of the seventh. After a leadoff single by Brooke Ellestad and a stolen base from pinch runner Kristen White, Riley Valentine singled off the glove of Rothrock. WIth runners on the corners, Salen Hawkins tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Lauren Johnson then followed with an RBI single to right, putting the Tide back on top, 3-2.

Florida wasn’t done, though. After Valentine dropped a pop up in foul territory, Rylee Holtorf walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Following the walk, Catelyn Riley relieved Briski in the circle. With one out, Shumaker then recorded her third hit of the day to move the tying run to third. Erickson reached on a misplayed ball to first that allowed the Gators to even the score once again. On a full count, Otis followed with a sharp single off the glove of Heivilin to score Shumaker from second and seal the walk-off win.

Katelynn Oxley, who entered in relief of Rothrock in the seventh, earned her second win of the weekend despite facing just one batter. Similarly, Riley took the loss in the circle after facing only four batters. The Gators improve to 11-7 in SEC play, while Alabama falls to 8-10 with two conference series remaining.

Florida will try to carry the momentum to LSU, while Alabama returns home to host Missouri.

Otis, a Colorado native, started her career at Louisville, where she was a Softball America All-American in 2023. She was a key part of the Gators’ Women’s College World Series run after transferring to Florida ahead of the 2024 season. Before Saturday’s game, Otis had a career average over .360 with 36 doubles, 15 triples, 29 home runs and 163 RBIs.

Draftee team assignments will be revealed on May 3 on ESPNU at 9 p.m. ET during the AUSL College Draft Show. The show will feature special guests, AUSL Coaches and General Managers, NCAA Coaches, and more. Savanna Collins will host with analysis from Amanda Scarborough and Haylie McCleney.

More from Softball America:

SEC Power Rankings
Class of 2027 Watch List
April 16 Bracketology

You may also like