2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suspension of Constitution
Police "postponed" any assemblies of more than 100 people and revoked permits already issued including the annual meeting of the Fiji Nursing Association and perhaps the elections of the Fiji Teachers Union. In July, the annual Methodist general meeting was not given a permit. Several Methodist Church leaders and a village high chief who was providing space for the meeting were arrested and released on condition that they not appear in public. The Methodist annual meeting scheduled for August was later cancelled by church leadership.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suspension of Constitution
All positions established under the 1997 Constitution were held to be vacant. In the following days, some of these office holders were reinstalled into the same offices, including the Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of Prisons, the Commander of the RFMF, the Solicitor General. Others were not reappointed as in the case of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji who was replaced by the Deputy Governor. Other positions were not immediately refilled, such as the courts, the Constitutional Offices Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Disciplined Services Commission and the Human Rights Commission.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suspension of Constitution
On 31 July, President Iloilo, 88 years old and thought to be ill, retired after having served since 2000 through all the coups, except for one month in 2006 when Bainimarama gave himself Presidential powers. Iloilo was replaced by the Vice-President, Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, a former military commander. Under the 1997 Constitution, the President was supposed to be appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, but with the Constitution suspended, Bainimarama announced that a replacement would be appointed by himself and his Cabinet at a time suitable for the regime.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Economy
As well as the rest of the world, Fiji had been influenced by the financial crisis of 2007–2008 before the constitutional crisis began. Fiji's foreign currency reserves had fallen by 1/3 during 2008 and, in February 2009, Standard and Poor's downgraded Fiji's long term credit rating from stable to negative. Exports increased in 2008 and inflation declined; however, cashflow suffered from the global financial crisis and imports increased leading to a larger negative balance of trade.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Economy
After the constitutional crisis began, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji was removed from his position, as were all other people appointed to positions under the 1997 Constitution. The Reserve Bank quickly made several major moves, imposing currency exchange restrictions and devaluing the currency by 20% to benefit exporters and tourism. On 16 April, the Bank ordered Australian banks operating in Fiji to limit interest rates and institute microlending programs. Standard and Poor's lowered Fiji's credit rating on 16 April, with short term credit falling to a C from a B rating. On 21 April, Moody's lowered Fiji's government bond, foreign currency bank deposit and foreign currency bond ratings, into junk bond status, stating "Political instability is weakening Fiji's long-term economic strength" among other reasons.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Economy
In a move claimed to be aimed at cutting public corruption, Bainimarama announced "As a first up, from next week, all government vehicles being driven after hours will need to carry permits." Soldiers and police would be empowered to check for these permits.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Economy
As a cost-cutting measure, the mandatory retirement age for civil servants was reduced to 55, with 30 April 2009 set as the retirement day for any over that age. Since 2007, the Fiji Teacher Association had been fighting the order to lower the retirement age from 60 to 55; the Public Service Association had later joined as a party to the lawsuit. Certain high-level positions were given a retirement age of 65, including the position of Commander of the Military Forces held by Bainimarama who will turn 55 three days before the decree goes into effect. The decree was expected to force the retirement of over 800 teachers and about 100 nurses. (Another 40 nurses had already moved overseas during 2009 before the decree.)


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suppression of the Media
Reports indicated that as part of the Emergency Regulation "a Ministry of Information officer and a plain-clothed policeman would be stationed in every newsroom".


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suppression of the Media
The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Information explained the policy, saying that media are to "refrain from publishing and broadcasting any news item that is negative in nature, relating to the assumption of executive authority on 10 April...and the subsequent appointments..." Immediately after the decree as a form of protest, Fiji One TV did not run its evening news program and the Fiji Times went to press with large blank spaces where censored articles were removed. The Fiji Sun announced that it would no longer run any political stories of any sort. The Fiji Daily Post mocked the restrictions, publishing stories under "Man gets on bus" and "Breakfast as usual".


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suppression of the Media
On 13 April two of the last remaining foreign journalists in Fiji were called to Government House by the Ministry of Information. ABC Pacific Correspondent Sean Dorney was asked to voluntarily leave Fiji—which he refused citing his valid visa—and TV3 reporter Sia Aston's footage was confiscated by Fijian authorities. Both Dorney and Aston were deported from Fiji on 14 April, with Aston and TV3 cameraman Matt Smith banned from ever returning to Fiji, with the interim Government stating that all three had breached their visa conditions.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suppression of the Media
Edwin Nand, a local journalist for Fiji TV, was imprisoned for 36 hours after he interviewed Dorney. Fijian Military spokesman Neumi Leweni stated that foreign journalists were welcome in Fiji, but must first apply and that "the invitation is decidedly conditional." However, during an interview with Radio New Zealand, Bainimarama said it was not necessary for their reporter to visit Fiji: "You just ask me the questions, I will give you the answers." On 17 April, military spokesman Neumi Leweni said foreign media personnel would have to apply to his office for visas and approval would be "based on how they have reported about Fiji in the past, if they have, or on the undertaking that they will report accurately and responsibly."


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suppression of the Media
Fijian media outlets and journalists have also come under government scrutiny. There were rumours of the imminent deportation of Anne Fussell, the publisher of the Fiji Times newspaper. Three newspaper editors had been deported in the 14 months before the crisis. Fijian journalists working for international media outlets have also been called before the military to explain reports.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suppression of the Media
The Government has also shut down two ABC FM transmitters, meaning that both ABC and Radio New Zealand International are only available to Fiji via the shortwave service. Internet cafes have also become a target because of independent news bloggers, with many having to shut down. Networks, software and archives are inspected by government officials, with Commodore Bainimarama saying that free speech "causes trouble" and must be curbed in order for the Government to carry out reforms.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Suppression of the Media
The Pacnews wire service announced they will no longer cover Fiji stories after police and censors required them to remove a story on the UN statements about the crisis. The announcement followed the detention of journalist Pita Ligaiula, a writer for Pacnews and correspondent for the Australian Associated Press, who was arrested by two police officers and an official for the Ministry of Information on 15 April 2009. Matai Akauola, of the Pacific Islands News Association, reported that one of Ligaiula's bylines may have violated Fiji's current media restrictions. Pacnews has announced that it has no plans to relocate from its headquarters in Suva, Fiji, to another country due to the restrictions on reporting Fijian domestic news.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, Local political reaction
The Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party declared that the suspension of the constitution was another coup. The National Federation Party also condemned the President's actions. The Fiji Labour Party said that the country could not sustain a five-year wait for elections and urged elections to be called sooner.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, International reaction
The UN Secretary General called for the "restoration of a legitimate government". The U.S. spoke of "deep disappointment" and Australia called the situation "grave and unwelcome". New Zealand's Foreign Minister referred to the situation as "a sorry recipe that has been tried by dictators in a number of other countries, always with tragic consequences." New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said that "the reality is that unless there is some miraculous turn around of events, Fiji is going to be suspended by the [Pacific Islands] forum in roughly two weeks," and that he would back immediate action. The forum's chair, Niue's Premier Toke Talagi, also advocated immediate suspension.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, International reaction
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele took a particularly strong stance, saying "But one day soon the puppets will grow a brain and see Frank for the evil puppeteer he really is. It is then the curtains will fall on Frank.. The whole thing is a political charade and the whole world is watching. Nobody is fooled and no one is laughing. Frank is only fooling himself..Go put back on his military uniform or..maybe, he’d look better in a prison uniform."


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, International reaction
The United Nations Security Council issued a statement: "The members of the Security Council are deeply concerned about the situation in Fiji, where undemocratic decisions were made, including the abrogation of the constitution. The members of the Security Council express hopes that Fiji will make a steadfast advancement towards democracy and that fair elections will be held as soon as possible." The United Nations also said that it would not increase the number of Fijian police or soldiers involved in its peacekeeping operations, or deploy them on any future missions, although it would continue to use them in its existing operations.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, International reaction
On 1 May, the Pacific Islands Forum suspended Fiji's membership as they had threatened months before if Fiji had not scheduled elections by that date. The 2009 suspension marked the first time that a country had been suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum in the history of the 38-year-old organization. As part of its suspensions, Fiji was also excluded from the discussions on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) and the Pacific Free Trade Agreement (PICTA).


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, International reaction
The Commonwealth of Nations suspended Fiji from its councils. In August, the Commonwealth gave Fiji until 1 September to announce scheduled elections to occur no later than October 2010. Failing that, Fiji would be "fully suspended" from the Commonwealth, a threat that was carried out when no such announcement was made.


2009 Fijian constitutional crisis, International reaction
Australia and New Zealand suspended diplomatic relations in 2009. Full diplomatic relations were restored on 30 July 2012.


2009 Final Four (baseball)
The 2009 "Final Four" was an international baseball competition held in Barcelona, Spain, on June 20–21, 2009, between four teams from the professional leagues in Italy and the Netherlands.


2009 Final Four (baseball)
Caffè Danesi Nettuno from Nettuno, Italy won its second straight title.


2009 Final Four Women's Volleyball Cup
The 2009 Final Four Women’s Volleyball Cup Chinalco Cup was the second edition of the annual Women's Volleyball Tournament, played by four countries from September 9–13, 2009 in Lima, Peru. The teams qualified through the 2009 Pan-American Cup, held in Miami, Florida.


2009 Final Four Women's Volleyball Cup squads
This article shows all participating team squads at the 2009 Final Four Women's Volleyball Cup, held from September 9 to September 13, 2009 in Lima, Peru.


2009 Fingal County Council election
An election to Fingal County Council took place on 5 June 2009 as part of that year's Irish local elections. 24 councillors were elected from six electoral divisions by PR-STV voting for a five-year term of office.


2009 Finlandia Trophy
The 2009 Finlandia Trophy was the 14th edition of an annual senior-level international figure skating competition held in Finland. It was held at the Valtti Areena in Vantaa between October 8 and 11, 2009. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, and ice dancing.


2009 Finnish Athletics Championships
The 2009 Finnish Athletics Championships were held in the Leppävaaran stadion in Espoo from July 31 to August 2, 2009. The event served as a qualification tournament for the 2009 World Championships staged from August 15 to August 23, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.


2009 Finnish Cup
Finnish Cup 2009 (Finnish: Suomen Cup) was the 55th season of the main annual football (soccer) cup competition in Finland. It is organized as a single-elimination knock–out tournament.


2009 Finnish Cup
Participation in the competition is voluntary. Veikkausliiga side IFK Mariehamn, for example, decided not to register for the tournament, as well as some Ykkönen teams.


2009 Finnish Cup
A total of 356 teams registered for the competition. They entered in different rounds, depending on their position within the league system. Clubs with teams in Kolmonen (level IV) or an inferior league, as well as Veterans and Junior teams, started the competition in Round 1. Teams from Ykkönen (level II) and Kakkonen (level III) entered in Round 4. Veikkausliiga clubs started in Round 5 with the exception of Inter Turku, FC Honka, FC Lahti and HJK Helsinki. These four teams entered in Round 6 because they qualified for European competitions after the 2008 season.


2009 Finnish Cup
The tournament started on 28 March 2009 with the First Round and concluded with the Final on 31 October 2009 at Finnair Stadium, Helsinki. Inter Turku defeated Tampere United 2–1, giving them a place in the second qualifying round of the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League. They have since been promoted to the third qualifying round because Atlético Madrid, winners of the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League, are now assured of qualifying domestically for the 2010–11 Europa League, either as winners of the 2009–10 Copa del Rey or losing finalists to a Champions League-qualified Sevilla.


2009 Finnish Cup, Round 1
The draw for this round was conducted on 12 March 2008. 102 teams were drawn into 51 matches for this round. 213 teams received a bye into the next round. The matches were played between 28 March and 14 April 2009.


2009 Finnish Cup, Round 2
The draw for this round was conducted on 12 March 2009. The 51 winners of the First Round, along with 213 teams who received a bye, were drawn into 132 matches for this round. The matches were played between 2–24 April 2009.


2009 Finnish Cup, Round 3
The draw for this round was conducted on 16 April 2009. The 132 winners of the Second Round were drawn into 66 matches for this round. The matches were played between 25 April–3 May 2009.


2009 Finnish Cup, Round 4
This round included the 66 winners from the previous round and the 28 clubs from the Ykkönen 2009 and Kakkonen 2009 seasons that entered into the competition. These clubs were drawn into 47 matches that took place between 5 and 26 May 2009.


2009 Finnish Cup, Round 5
This round included the 47 winners of the previous round and the 9 Veikkausliiga 2009 clubs that entered this competition who were not involved in European competitions for the 2009-10 cycle. This included all the clubs in the league competition except for Inter Turku, FC Honka, FC Lahti and HJK Helsinki, who entered the competition in the round following this one, and IFK Mariehamn who decided not to participate in this competition. These 28 matches were played between 1 and 12 June 2009.


2009 Finnish Cup, Round 6
This round included the 28 winners from the previous round and the 4 Veikkausliiga 2009 clubs involved in European competition in the 2009-10 cycle: Inter Turku, FC Honka, FC Lahti and HJK Helsinki. These matches were played on 8 and 9 July 2009 except for the match between FC Viikingit and FC Lahti, which took place on August 12 due to Lahti's involvement in the Europa League.


2009 Finnish Cup, Round 7
This round included the 16 winners of the previous round. These matches were played on 29 and 30 August 2009.


2009 Finnish Cup, Quarter-finals
This round included the eight winners from the previous round.


2009 Finnish Figure Skating Championships
The 2009 Finnish Figure Skating Championships (Finnish: SM2009, yksinluistelu ja jäätanssi) took place between December 19 and 21, 2008 at the Helsingin jäähalli in Helsinki. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, and ice dancing on the senior and junior levels. The results were one of the criteria used to choose the Finnish teams to the 2009 World Championships, the 2009 European Championships, and the 2009 World Junior Championships.


2009 Finnish Figure Skating Championships
The senior compulsory dance was the Finnstep and the junior compulsory dance was the Paso Doble.


2009 Finnish League Cup
The 2009 Finnish League Cup was the 13th season of the Finnish League Cup, Finland's second-most prestigious cup football tournament.


2009 Finnish League Cup
The cup consisted of two stages. First there was group stage that involved 14 Veikkausliiga teams divided into two groups. The top four teams from each group entered the one-legged elimination rounds – quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.


2009 Finnish League Cup, Group stage
Every team played every other team of its group once, either home or away. The matches were played from 25 January to 24 March 2009.


2009 Fiordland earthquake
The 2009 Fiordland earthquake struck the South Island of New Zealand with a magnitude of 7.8 at 9:22 pm (NZST) on 15 July. The earthquake was centred in the remote region of Fiordland, with the epicentre located 150 km (93 mi) west-north-west of Invercargill near Dusky Sound in Fiordland National Park, at a depth of 12 km (7.5 mi). It is among the largest New Zealand earthquakes to occur, including the Culverden/Kaikoura earthquake in 2016 and the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake, which both had a magnitude of 7.8.


2009 Fiordland earthquake, Earthquake
The main shock was a reverse fault (thrust), with the Indo-Australian Plate subducting beneath the Pacific Plate. The earthquake lifted a large area of land around the epicenter approximately 1 metre.


2009 Fiordland earthquake, Earthquake
New Zealand's Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science) initially measured the earthquake at magnitude 6.6, but later revised the magnitude to 7.8.


2009 Fiordland earthquake, Earthquake
The reported energy release was compared to "500 million tonnes of TNT,[and] 25,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945".


2009 Fiordland earthquake, Earthquake
The quake twisted New Zealand's South Island, with Puysegur Point, on the Southwestern tip of the island, moving 30 cm closer to Australia (westward); Te Anau moved 10 cm, Bluff 3 cm and Dunedin 1 cm. It is also believed to have caused an increased stress in the southern, offshore part of the Alpine Fault.


2009 Fiordland earthquake, Earthquake, Effects
The earthquake was felt throughout the South Island, and in the lower North Island as far as New Plymouth. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and it caused only minor damage. Power outages were experienced in several parts of the South Island. Over 200 claims for damage have been listed with the Earthquake Commission, New Zealand's agency for earthquake compensation.


2009 Fiordland earthquake, Earthquake, Effects
Landslides in the Fiordland National Park near Dusky Sound cleared large tracts of forest.


2009 Fiordland earthquake, Earthquake, Tsunami
Tsunami warnings were issued soon after the earthquake by authorities in New Zealand and Australia, as well as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii. Civil defence officials in Southland also issued a 'potential tsunami' warning, stating their concerns about widely varying measurements of the earthquake. Reacting to the Pacific warnings, about fifty residents and tourists on Lord Howe Island were evacuated, and in Sydney a theatre in Bondi Beach was evacuated, and residents told to keep away from the shore. In the event, waves recorded along New Zealand's western coastline measured at one metre, peak to trough, in the Haast area. (An amplitude of 17 cm) The tsunami warnings were subsequently cancelled or reduced.


2009 Firestone Indy 300
The 2009 Firestone Indy 300 was the final race of the 2009 IndyCar season. This 297-mile (478 km) race took place on October 10, at the 1.485-mile (2.390 km) Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida near Miami. The race was telecast by Versus. Scotland's Dario Franchitti benefitted from late pit-stops for rivals Scott Dixon and Ryan Briscoe to take his second IndyCar Series title by ten points. This race is also the fastest 300 mile oval race in IndyCar history owing to no caution flags.


2009 Firestone Indy 300, Race
All cars utilized Dallara chassis, Honda engines, and Firestone Firehawk tires


2009 First Division (Gambia)
The 2009 GFA League First Division season was the 41st of the amateur competition of the first-tier football in the Gambia. The competition was governed by the Gambian Football Association (GFA) . The season began on February 20 and finished earlier on May 23. The (Gambian) Armed Forces FC won the second title after finishing with 44 points and qualified into the 2010 CAF Champions League the following season. Wallidan FC was also winner of the 2009 Gambian Cup, runner up was Samger, not even that club qualified and competed in the 2010 CAF Confederation Cup due to financial problems. It was the first season featuring twelve clubs, up from ten last season. The last two positions received relegation into the GFA League Second Division in the following season, they were Africell and Tallinding United.


2009 First Division (Gambia), Overview
The season featured a total of 132 matches and scored a total of 228 goals, more than last season.


2009 First Division (Gambia), Overview
Real de Banjul was again the defending team of the title. 25 goals were the highest scored both by the Armed Forces and 10th placed Brikama which had a club scored the most that was above the relegation zone, fourth was 22 goals scored by Bakau United, fourth place.


2009 First Division (Gambia), Overview
Four clubs finished with 31 points and were fourth place Bakau United, Hawks, Gamtel and seventh placed Samger, the only difference was Bakau scored 22 goals, Hawks and Gamtel had 17 goals, Hawks conceded 13 and Gamtel conceded 16 and Samger scored 16 goals. Also Hawks, Gamtel and Samger had 8 wins and 7 draws.


2009 Flea Market Cup
The 2009 Flea Market Cup was a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It was the seventh edition of the tournament which was part of Tretorn SERIE+ of the 2009 ATP Challenger Tour. It took place in Chuncheon, South Korea between 2 and 8 November 2009.


2009 Flea Market Cup, ATP entrants, Other Entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2009 Flea Market Cup, Champions, Doubles
Andis Juška /  Dmitri Sitak def. Lee Hsin-han /  Yang Tsung-hua, 3–6, 6–3, [10–2]


2009 Flea Market Cup – Doubles
Rik de Voest and Ashley Fisher were the defending champions, but only de Voest tried to defend his title. He partnered with Frederik Nielsen. However, they lost to Andis Juška and Dmitri Sitak in the quarterfinal. Juška and Sitak won this tournament, by defeating Lee Hsin-han and Yang Tsung-hua 3–6, 6–3, [10–2] in the final.


2009 Flea Market Cup – Singles
Ivo Minář chose to not defend his 2008 title. Lu Yen-hsun defeated Igor Sijsling 6–2, 6–3 in the final match.


2009 Florida Atlantic Owls football team
The 2009 Florida Atlantic University Owls football team represented Florida Atlantic University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Howard Schnellenberger and played their home games at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Owls were in their fourth season of competition in the Sun Belt Conference. The Owls finished the season 5–7 and 5–3 in Sun Belt play.


2009 Florida Atlantic Owls football team, Preseason
The Florida Atlantic Owls entered the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season hoping to rebound on what was considered a disappointing 2008 campaign. The 2008 team ended the season 7–6 (4–3 SBC), despite returning an overwhelming majority of starters from the 2007 conference champion team. Quarterback Rusty Smith entered his senior season. The 2009 team looked to rebuild on defense, losing defensive star, Frantz Joseph, and a number of other key starters.


2009 Florida Atlantic Owls football team, Preseason
The Owls looked to shoot for their third-consecutive bowl appearance, as the 2008 squad defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas in the 2008 Motor City Bowl.


2009 Florida Atlantic Owls football team, Preseason
The Owls also had to deal with a new offensive system, as Gary Nord, offensive coordinator for Florida Atlantic since 2004, took the same job at Purdue.


2009 Florida Gators baseball team
The 2009 Florida Gators baseball team represented the University of Florida in the sport of baseball during the 2009 college baseball season. The Gators competed in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They played their home games at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium, on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. The team was coached by Kevin O'Sullivan, who was in his second season at Florida.


2009 Florida Gators football team
The 2009 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2009 college football season. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. They were led by fifth-year head coach Urban Meyer, who coached the Gators to a first-place finish in the SEC East, a 51–24 Sugar Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats, and an overall win-loss record of 13–1 (.929).


2009 Florida Gators football team
With senior quarterback Tim Tebow and eleven defensive starters returning, the Gators had hoped to repeat as back-to-back national champions following their BCS National Championship at the end of the 2008 season. They finished with an undefeated 12–0 regular season, their first since 1995, but the Gators' 32–13 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game derailed their national title hopes, and forced them to settle for a berth in the Sugar Bowl. At the conclusion of the 2009 season, the Gators were ranked No. 3 in both major polls.


2009 Florida Gators football team
On December 26, 2009, Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley announced that Urban Meyer would step down as the team's head coach for health and family reasons. The following day, Meyer stated that he would instead take an indefinite leave of absence, allowing him to resume his position as the head coach. Meyer returned to coach the Gators in spring practice in March 2010.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Previous season
In the 2008 season, the Gators went 11–1 in the regular season, suffering their only loss to Ole Miss in Gainesville. Their post-season success included a win over No. 1–ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2008 SEC Championship Game, followed by a win over the No. 1–ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the 2009 BCS Championship Game. The Gators finished the 2008 season with a 13–1 record and ranked No. 1 in the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls. It was the third national championship for the Gators.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Pre-season
On January 11, 2009 during the national championship celebration at the University of Florida, quarterback Tim Tebow announced his intention to return for his senior season, followed on January 15 by linebacker Brandon Spikes intention to return as well. With Spikes' return, the entire two-deep of the Gators defense was set to return for the 2009 season. One major loss was All-America wide receiver Percy Harvin, who opted to leave the University of Florida to enter the 2009 NFL Draft.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Pre-season
The Gators also lost offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Dan Mullen, who became the head coach at Mississippi State following Sylvester Croom's resignation. Former offensive line coach Steve Addazio was named as Mullen's replacement, with Scot Loeffler hired to take on the role of quarterback coach.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Pre-season
The Gators played their spring scrimmage on April 18, 2009, with the Orange winning.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Pre-season
Florida was voted #1 in both the preseason USA Today Coaches' Poll and the AP Poll. The Gators received the highest ever percentage of preseason #1 votes in the history of the AP Poll, which began in 1950.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Charleston Southern
In the season opener, the Gators met the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in Gainesville. In a game that was never close, the Gators won 62–3. John Brantley threw for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Troy
The Florida Gators met the Troy Trojans in Gainesville, Florida. After a slow start, the Gators scored four times in the second quarter before cruising to a 56–6 victory.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
In what may have been the most talked about game all pre-season, the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers met in Gainesville, Florida. Most of the pre-game talk surrounded comments made by Volunteer's head coach Lane Kiffin. The game remained close until the end with the Gators holding on for a 23–13 victory.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Kentucky
In their first road game of the season, the Florida Gators traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to face the Wildcats. The Gators quickly took at 31–0 lead in the first quarter before going on to win 41–7. The biggest news story to come out of the game was a concussion suffered by Tim Tebow during the third quarter. Tebow spent the night in a Lexington hospital; returning two weeks later for Florida's 13–3 win at LSU.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Florida State
In the regular season finale, the Gators blew by the Seminoles 37–10. A new attendance record at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was set with 90,907 present.


2009 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, SEC Championship Game vs. Alabama
In a rematch of last year's SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide handed the Gators their only loss of the season. Alabama running back Mark Ingram scored three touchdowns in the 32–13 win.


2009 Florida Gators softball team
The 2009 Florida Gators softball team represented the University of Florida softball program for the 2009 NCAA softball season. The Gators compiled an overall record of 63-5 and completed its SEC regular season with a record of 26-1. They finished second in the nation after losing to the Washington Huskies in the WCWS Championship Series. The 2009 team broke the SEC single-season home runs record (86) and several school records including grand slams in a season (12), total shutouts (39), and consecutive shutouts (11).


2009 Florida Gators softball team
Aja Paculba set the single season stolen base record (27), Francesca Enea broke the career home run record (41), and the Florida pitching staff threw three no-hitters in the regular season (Stephanie Brombacher vs. Coastal Carolina and Stacey Nelson vs. Ole Miss and Arkansas). Stacey Nelson was named the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award winner and the SEC Pitcher of the year for the second straight year, and five Gators were given Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American honors. Stacey Nelson was named to the first team (pitcher), and Stephanie Brombacher (pitcher), Francesca Enea (outfielder), Kelsey Bruder (outfielder), and Aja Paculba (second baseman) were named to the second team.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Previous Season
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.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Pre-season
With all but one starter from the 2008 team returning, the Gators were voted the pre-season #1.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Baylor (Game 1)
The season opener for both squads stayed scoreless until the bottom of the 2nd when Francesca Enea, on third base because of a walk and a single from Tiffany DeFelice, scored on a passed ball. Hilberth also scored on a passed ball, this time in the bottom of the 3rd, after singling, stealing second, and advancing to third on an error by catcher Jordan Vannatta. Number 2 hitter Aja Paculba was walked in between strike outs by Kim Waleszonia and Ali Gardiner, and successfully stole second during the latter.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Baylor (Game 1)
She advanced to third on the same passed ball that scored Hilberth, and after Enea was intentionally walked, the Gators attempted a double steal, but caught in a pickle between 3rd and home, Paculba was caught for the final out of the inning. The Gators only other run of the night came on a solo shot from right fielder Kelsey Bruder (graduated senior Mary Ratliff's replacement and only new starter from the previous season).


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Baylor (Game 1)
Baylor threatened in the top of the 4th when Alex Colyer and Courtney Oberg consecutively singled, then both advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Tiffany Wesley. The Gator defense forced a ground out and line out to retire the side.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Baylor (Game 2)
The Gators got on the board early when Francesca Enea homered to left field, also bringing home Aja Paculba who was walked and Ali Gardiner who singled. Then, in the 2nd, Corrie Brooks doubled, Megan Bush hit a sacrifice bunt to move her to third, and Michelle Moultrie hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring her home. Center fielder Kim Waleszonia immediately homered, making the game 5-0 in favor of Florida. Two innings later, in the bottom of 5th, Paculba added to the Gators' home run total, bringing the lead to six.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Baylor (Game 2)
Gardiner was hit by a pitch, Lauren Heil (who was pinch running for Gardiner) stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Courtney Oberg. After Kelsey Bruder was walked, Brooks singled and both she and Bruder advanced an extra base as the Bears attempted, but failed to prevent Heil from scoring. In the bottom of the 6th, Alicia Sisco pinch hit for Moultrie and got her first collegiate hit. Paculba doubled to center field to score Sisco after she advanced to second on a walk of Hilberth. Up by eight, the game ended because of the mercy rule.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Baylor (Game 2)
Baylor never threatened as Gator pitcher Stephanie Brombacher held them to one hit, one walk, and one hit by pitch. She also had 8 strikeouts in 6.0 innings.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Baylor (Game 3)
Although the Gators had chances in this game, namely in the bottom of the 1st with two runners in scoring position and 1 out, they were not able to capitalize. The game was methodical for innings two through four, but the top of the fifth saw Baylor take its first lead in the three-game series. Catcher Courtney Oberg singled to left field, left fielder Tiffany Wesley reached on an error by pitcher Stacey Nelson while Oberg's pinch runner made it to third, and she scored after the second error of the inning by shortstop Megan Bush. Nelson quickly forced Meagan Weldon into a groundout to limit the damage to one run. The only offense generated by the Gators after that was a single by Bush in the bottom of the 5th. Nelson took the loss for the Gators.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Jacksonville
The Gators bounced back from their first loss of the season, scoring 11 runs in 6 innings. The first scoring of the day happened in the top of the third when Kim Waleszonia, Aja Paculba, and Ali Gardiner had back-to-back-to-back singles, the third of which scored Waleszonia. Two innings later, Megan Bush took a lead-off walk, was moved over to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt by Michelle Moultrie and to 3rd on a groundout by Waleszonia. All the small ball proved unnecessary as Paculba homered to left field, increasing Florida's lead to 3.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Jacksonville
The Gators proved that their entire lineup is dangerous at the plate in the top of the sixth. Francesca Enea took first on a hit by pitch to start off the inning, and Brooke Johnson, who was brought in to pinch run, stole second. Tiffany DeFelice was walked, Kelsey Bruder singled to left to score Johnson, Corrie Brooks, Bush, and pinch hitter Kristine Priebe were all consecutively walked to bring in 2 runs, and Brooks scored on a wild pitch. Waleszonia then successfully bunted and Paculba singled to score two more runs and keep the bases loaded. Enea's double brought in Priebe and Waleszonia and put both herself and Paculba in scoring position. After DeFelice singled and Paculba scored, the Bears were able to finally end the inning.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Texas Tech (Lipton Invitational)
In only 4 innings of offense, the Gators managed to match their season best in runs with 11. In order to breathe some life into the lineup, Aja Paculba moved to the leadup spot and Kim Waleszonia moved behind her. The switch brought instant results in the first inning as Paculba took walk, Waleszonia singled, and Francesca Enea doubled to score them both. After failing to score in the second, Florida repeated their 8-run performance from the Jacksonville game in the third. Waleszonia bunted, and Ali Gardiner homered to start off the inning.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Texas Tech (Lipton Invitational)
Tiffany DeFelice got to first on a walk, and then to third on a double by Kelsey Bruder. Both scored on the follow-up double from third baseman Corrie Brooks. After Megan Bush was hit by a pitch, Hilberth singled to score Brooks, and Paculba singled to score Bush, Waleszonia was able to get on-board and Hilberth scored because of an error on Red Raider third baseman Danielle Matthews. Gardiner's single set the final run of the frame across the plate as a fielder's choice and a 6-2-5 double play would end the inning. The Gators scored in the 4th on a single from Bruder, walk on Brooks, fielder's choices from Bush and Hilberth, and double from Paculba that would allow Brooks's pinch runner to get home.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Texas Tech (Lipton Invitational)
Stacey Nelson recorded the win for the Gators and only gave up a single hit while walking none, hitting none, and striking out eight. Also, if not for the one hit, Nelson would have pitched a perfect game.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Coastal Carolina (Lipton Invitational)
In another mercy-rule-ended game, Florida Sophomore pitcher Stephanie Brombacher threw a no-hitter for the first time in her career.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Coastal Carolina (Lipton Invitational)
In the top half of the first, Aja Paculba was walked and stole second, then made it to third on a passed ball, and Kim Waleszonia tripled to score her. Waleszonia scored on a sacrifice fly from Francesca Enea to make it 2-0 in favor of the Gators. In the second, Kristine Priebe hit a 2 RBI homer to center field before Paculba and Waleszonia basically mimicked their performances from the first. Paculba was walked and stole second, but instead of advancing to third on a passed ball, she passed the base on her way home after Waleszonia tripled again.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Coastal Carolina (Lipton Invitational)
She would get home on Francesca Enea's single. At the start of the third, Kelsey Bruder doubled, and Corrie Brooks was hit by a pitch before they successfully completed the double steal. They would both score on an error by the Chanticleers' shortstop. The game ended after five innings with Florida taking the game 8-0.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Florida Atlantic (Lipton Invitational)
The Florida Atlantic Owls managed only two hits against Florida pitcher Stacey Nelson and failed to get any runs on the board. The Gators on the other hand, continued their streak of mercy-rule finishes, beating FAU 13-0. After scoring a single run in the first by way of an Aja Paculba homer, Florida poured it on in the second. Owl pitcher Amber Barton surrendered a leadoff walk that became a run after Megan Bush doubled to center field.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Florida Atlantic (Lipton Invitational)
After catcher Kristina Hilberth singled and Paculba walked, the bases were loaded for Francesca Enea, who proceeded to knock one over the center field wall for a grand slam. Kristine Priebe followed suit a few batters later, but not before Kelsey Bruder and Corrie Brooks got on base with a walk and a single respectively. The Gators added to their already impressive lead in the bottom of the third after loading the bases again. Hilberth and Paculba singled, and Kim Waleszonia reached on a fielder's choice so that when Ali Gardiner and Enea consecutively singled, two runs scored for the home team. Then Bruder sacrificed herself to bring Waleszonia home, and Priebe singled to do the same for Gardiner.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, South Alabama (Lipton Invitational)
The 13-0 win against the South Alabama Jaguars marked Florida's fifth straight shutout and fourth straight five-inning game. In the top of the first, the "visiting" Gators got two runs off four singles from Kim Waleszonia, Ali Gardiner, Kelsey Bruder, and Corrie Brooks. Waleszonia and Gardiner came back in the third with back-to-back triples, allowing the former to easily score. Florida scored six more times in the fourth, including Francesca Enea's second grand slam of the day (the first coming in the game against Florida Atlantic).


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, South Alabama (Lipton Invitational)
Shortstop Megan Bush, catcher Kristina Hilberth, and second baseman Aja Paculba were all walked with one out. Pinch hitter Michelle Moultrie was then hit by a pitch and Gardiner reached on a fielder's choice that still allowed Hilberth to score. That was when Enea stepped to the plate and homered very close to the foul poll. She became the first player in Florida history to hit two grand slams on the same day. An inning later, the scoring parade continued for the Gators.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, South Alabama (Lipton Invitational)
Le-Net Franklin, who stayed in the game for Bush, Hilberth, and Paculba all singled to start off the inning, and after a fielder's choice forced Franklin out at the plate, Gardiner singled to score Hilberth. Enea hit a single to right center to allow Paculba to score, Bruder reached on an error by the Jaguar shortstop to score Moultrie, and Brooks scored Gardiner on a fielder's choice that forced out Bruder.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Georgia Tech (Lipton Invitational)
In the bottom of the first, Aja Paculba drew a lead-off walk on a full count. After Kim Waleszonia flew out to center, Ali Gardiner belted a double into left field, scoring Paculba and giving the Gators an early 1-0 lead. In the second, Corrie Brooks started things off with a single before Megan Bush sacrificed herself to move Brooks to second. Paculba then knocked a 2 RBI home run over the left field fence to give Florida a 3-run lead.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Georgia Tech (Lipton Invitational)
After Waleszonia was plunked in the back by a pitch, Gardiner then doubled again, this time to right field, easily scoring Waleszonia. Francesca Enea sent the first pitch she saw over the left field wall for her fifth home run of the season. Georgia Tech's only run of the game and Florida's first earned run of the season came in the fourth on Tiffany Johnson's one-out bases-loaded fielder's choice to score Kelly Eppinger.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Georgia Tech (Lipton Invitational)
Florida tacked on yet another run in the bottom of the third when Megan Bush doubled on a blooper to shallow left field. Kristina Hilberth then shot a sharp-hit single to center. As Bush slid into home for a play at the plate, the Yellow Jackets’ catcher was called for interference, awarding Bush the run. The Gators ended the game on the mercy rule when Brooks bombed one to dead center with the bases loaded for her first career grand slam. Gardiner and Enea walked and Kelsey Bruder singled to load the bases for Brooks, who had Florida 3rd grand slam of the year.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Fresno State (Cathedral City Classic)
In their first game of the Cathedral City Classic, the Gators forced another mercy-ruled ended game, this time against the No. 14 Fresno State Bulldogs. In the first, after Aja Paculba drew a lead-off walk and two quick outs, left fielder Francesca Enea belted one over the fence in left center. In the bottom of the inning, the Bulldogs managed to get their first two batters on board with back-to-back singles, but three straight outs ended the threat. Florida scored again in the second to make it 3-0 when Kim Waleszonia singled to center with runners on first and second because of a hit by pitch and a walk.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Fresno State (Cathedral City Classic)
The Gators put the game away in the top of the fifth inning, recording five runs all with two outs. Enea drew a walk to get things started. Brooke Johnson pinch ran for her and immediately stole second to put herself in scoring position. Kelsey Bruder smacked a single to left field to move Johnson to third. Then, Corrie Brooks came through, slamming one to center field to drive in Johnson and Bruder. Kristine Priebe was sent to pinch hit for Michelle Moultrie and walked. That's when Megan Bush hit her first home run of the year with a three-run bomb to left, nailing "Fenway Park's" Green Monster replica. With an eight-run lead after the fifth, the game ended.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arizona State (Cathedral City Classic)
After the defending champion Sun Devils loaded the bases in the top of the first with a hit by pitch, an error by third baseman Corrie Brooks, and a walk, pitcher Stacey Nelson struck out cleanup hitter Krista Donnewirth to get the first out of the inning. Katelyn Boyd then recorded the first hit for Arizona State to allow Jessica Maples to score. Kaylyn Castillo then reached on a fielder's choice grounder that forced Lesley Rogers out at home, and Caylyn Carlson struck out swinging to end the threat.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arizona State (Cathedral City Classic)
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Sun Devils until a huge 8-run 5th put the Gators on top for good. First up to the plate for Florida in the fifth was Sophomore shortstop Megan Bush. Bush sent the ball over the left field wall to tie the game at 1-all. Catcher and number nine hitter Kristina Hilberth reached second on a two-base error on Sun Devil center fielder Kaitlin Cochran. Aja Paculba and Kim Waleszonia both grounded out, but Waleszonia's allowed Hilberth to move on to third.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arizona State (Cathedral City Classic)
Ali Gardiner earned herself an RBI when she hit a single into left field to score Hilberth. Pitcher Megan Elliott unintentionally walked cleanup hitter Francesca Enea to move Michelle Moultrie, pinch runner Gardiner, into scoring position. Making up for her error earlier, Brooks put the Gators up 4-1 when her double down the left field line allowed Moultrie and Enea to score (Ami Austin came in to pinch run for Brooks). Elliot next put herself in a jam that would be cleaned-up by Bush.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arizona State (Cathedral City Classic)
After Elliot walked Kelsey Bruder and hit Kristine Priebe with a pitch to load the bases, Bush blasted her first pitch over the wall in center field for a grand slam. Hilberth doubled and Paculba flied out to center to end in the marathon inning that saw Florida take a 7-run lead.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arizona State (Cathedral City Classic)
Arizona State managed to score a run in the final inning with Rogers's two-out double that scored Maples, who was on base because of a walk. Nelson struck out Cochran to end the game.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Nevada (Cathedral City Classic)
The Gators scored their first runs in the top of the second when Corrie Brooks walked and moved to second on a single to left field by Kelsey Bruder. Kristine Priebe laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Megan Bush walked to load the bases, and Aja Paculba recorded her first hit of the tournament on a two-out single (she had 2 at-bats in 8 plate appearances), scoring Brooks. A throwing error by the center fielder moved the runners along, including Bruder, who crossed the plate to give the Gators a 2-0 lead.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Nevada (Cathedral City Classic)
The Gators added another run its next time up as Ali Gardiner belted one to deep center field. The ball hit off the outfield fence as Gardiner rolled into second base for her third double of the season. Francesca Enea was walked and both runners were replaced on the base path by pinch runners Lauren Heil and Brooke Johnson. After a pitching switch, Brooks grounded back to the pitcher to advance the runners to second and third. Bruder stepped up to the plate and nailed a two-RBI single. The Gators tallied their final run in the fourth. Paculba singled up the middle and stole second to put herself in scoring position. Kim Waleszonia smoked a triple to deep right-center field, allowing Paculba to cross the plate.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Nevada (Cathedral City Classic)
The Wolfpack's biggest scoring threat came in the top of the second. With bases loaded off a fielder's choice and two singles, Stephanie Brombacher got out of the jam able by forcing the nine-spot hitter out on a fly ball to second baseman Paculba. In the fifth, two singles put runners on first and second with only one out. Brombacher forced the following two batters to ground out to end the inning.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Washington (Cathedral City Classic)
The Gators' offense came up short in this 9-inning pitcher's duel. Senior Stacey Nelson lost her second 1-0 game of the season as her teammates could not muster enough hits against Washington's ace Danielle Lawrie. Kim Waleszonia was the only Gator to have any success against the Canadian Olympian, earning two base hits. It took nine innings for Washington to score the only run of the game.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Washington (Cathedral City Classic)
It was Kimi Pohlman, who was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts against Nelson, who came up for the Huskies, singling to center field to score Amanda Fleischman, who started on second due to extra-inning tournament rules. The Gators kept it to the lone run as Francesca Enea made her second diving catch of the night to record the first out. With two outs, Ashlyn Watson hit a grounder up the middle, but second baseman Aja Pacubla made the grab and fired to Corrie Brooks, who found catcher Kristina Hilberth to get Pohlman at the plate.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Washington (Cathedral City Classic)
In the bottom of the ninth with Paculba placed at second, Waleszonia recorded her second single against Lawrie, bunting for a base hit and moving Paculba to third. Waleszonia used her speed to steal second. With runners in scoring position, Enea grounded to the second baseman who threw home to tag Paculba out at the plate. Lawrie ended the game by striking out Brooks. The Gators’ largest threat came in their first at bat as Paculba drew a lead off walk.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Washington (Cathedral City Classic)
The speedster stole second and moved to third as the Huskies’ catcher threw to an empty bag and the ball headed into center field. Ali Gardiner walked to put runners on the corner and Lauren Heil came in to pinch run. A failed double steal found Paculba picked off at third while stood Heil at second. Enea popped out to end the inning and the Gators’ threat.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, UNLV (Cathedral City Classic)
The first runs of the game came in the top of the third when Michelle Moultrie earned her first career hit, nailing one to deep right field. The right fielder could not handle the hard-hit ball and Moultrie used her speed to hustle home for an inside-the-park home run. Aja Paculba followed with a base hit through the left side and Kim Waleszonia bunted her way onto first. Paculba moved to third on an error by the Rebel third baseman and Waleszonia stole third to put two Gators in scoring position.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, UNLV (Cathedral City Classic)
Ali Gardiner was walked to load the bases and Francesca Enea was hit to force in Florida's second run. Corrie Brooks drew a walk to give Florida a 3-0 lead. Stacey Nelson relieved Stephanie Brombacher in the fifth. With a runner on third in the sixth because of a hit by pitch, a groundout, and a wild pitch, Jaci Hull smacked one to deep center field to get the Rebels there only run of the game. The Gators would add some insurance, however, in the top of the seventh.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, UNLV (Cathedral City Classic)
Paculba singled up the middle and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Waleszonia. Gardiner walked, and Enea singled to score Paculba and move Gardiner to third. After Corrie Brooks was walked and a new pitcher was brought into the game, an illegal pitch moved all runners up and scored Gardiner. A double play would end the inning.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Michigan
The Gators had few problems against starting pitcher Nikki Nemitz, tallying 5 hits and a walk through 9 at-bats. In the bottom of the first, second baseman Aja Paculba had a lead-off single to right field. After Kim Waleszonia struck out, first baseman Ali Gardiner was walked to move Paculba into scoring position. Clean-up hitter Francesca Enea then hit a blooper to shallow right that barely hit the ground around the outstretched glove of Michigan right fielder Angela Findlay. Gardiner, who had to remain close to her bag in case the ball was caught, was easily forced out at second.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Michigan
Enea then successfully stole second, her first stolen base of the year, causing some confusion as she jogged to second on whether it was a dead ball. Designated played Tiffany DeFelice scored both runners when she hit a single barely over the leaping shortstop's glove. Right fielder Kelsey Bruder ended the inning on a strike out. The bottom third of the Gators' lineup tallied two more hits against Nemitz in the bottom of second causing Michigan to send in Sophomore right-hander Jordan Taylor. With the exception of a 2 RBI single from Waleszonia to score hitters 7 and 9 (Corrie Brooks and Kristina Hilberth) and a double from Bruder in the fifth, Taylor held the Gators' offense in check.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Michigan
Michigan threatened to break-up the shutout in the top of the sixth when shortstop Teddi Ewing was tagged out at the plate. She reached on a fielder's choice, moved to second on a groundout to second base, and attempted to come around on a single from Molly Bausher. However, as Ewing rounded third base, an alert Bruder sent a perfect throw to Hilberth who was easily waiting at home for her to apply the tag.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Pacific (Cox Invitational)
In their opening game of the Cox Invitational, Florida uncharacteristically allowed five earned runs, but still managed to get the win. Corrie Brooks started off the scoring slowly with a solo shot in the top of the second inning. Three more came in the third off the bat of Kelsey Bruder, who homered to left, bringing home Francesca Enea and Tiffany DeFelice, who both singled. They'd add one more an inning later after Kim Waleszonia was hit by a pitch with one out. Waleszonia stole second and Enea got the RBI on a single to left.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Pacific (Cox Invitational)
Pacific scored all five of their runs in the next half-inning. Paige Emerson reached base on a bunt single, Nicole Matson singled, and Amanda Collier walked to load the bases. A single from Briana Santos moved everyone forward 60 feet, and Stephanie Brombacher allowed her first run of the year. Three more singles would tie the game at five, but not for long.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Pacific (Cox Invitational)
Megan Bush lead of the fifth with a solo homer that would put the Gators on top for good. In the top of the sixth, Ali Gardiner doubled to left center to start off the inning. With pinch runner Ami Austin on third and Enea on second after a single and the throw to third, DeFelice grounded to short to score Austin. Then, Bruder walked, and Brooks hit an RBI single, chasing Tiger pitcher Chelsea Engle from the game. The new pitcher allowed a sacrifice fly, a single, a walk, and threw a wild pitch before Michelle Moultrie was caught stealing to end the inning. Although the Gators threatened in the top of the seventh, the score would stand at 10-5.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 1)
In a surprising mercy-rule-ended game, Florida scored nine earned runs and hit 12 times off Alabama's Kelsi Dunne. However, it was the Crimson Tide who scored first. In the top of the fifth, Alabama loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and a single. A hit by pitch brought in the first run of the game and left the bases loaded. A fielder's choice grounder to third baseman Corrie Brooks allowed Ashley Holcombe to reach, but forced the runner out at home. Catcher Kristina Hilberth then picked off the runner at third for the second out. Stacey Nelson struck out Brittany Rogers to keep the scoring at one run.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 1)
The Gators would not stay behind for long, as Aja Paculba doubled, Kelsey Bruder walked, and Ali Gardiner singled all with one out to load the bases. With two outs and the bases still loaded, Brooks hit a single to the shortstop that scored two and put Florida on top. Megan Bush singled through the right side to score Gardiner, and Hilberth walked to load the bases again, but a harmless fly to right left them that way.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 1)
While the Tide tried to counter, loading the bases with one out, a force out at home and a fly out back to Nelson kept Alabama from scoring. In the bottom of the sixth, Alicia Sisco hit a lead-off single to the left side, but her pinch runner was caught stealing. Paculba then singled, and Bruder flied out. As the Gators had all season, they rallied with two outs, starting with a walk to Gardiner. Francesca Enea homered for three more runs, and Brooks made it 7-1 with another home run. Then, Bush and Hilberth singled and Tiffany DeFelice walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Shaunice Harris walked to bring in pinch runner Lauren Heil, and Paculba ended the game early on an RBI single to left field.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 2)
Alabama scored first again in game two, but again got run-ruled, this time in five innings. Stephanie Brombacher walked Brittany Rogers to lead off the game, but was caught stealing by Kristina Hilberth. Kelley Montalvo followed with a triple, and Charlotte Morgan got the RBI on a sacrifice fly to center field. In the bottom of the first, Aja Paculba led off with a solo home run to tie the game. The Gators took the lead in the bottom of the second with another solo shot, this time from Megan Bush.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 2)
The third inning, however, was when Florida took control of the game. Alicia Sisco and Paculba consecutively singled to put two runners on with no one out. A Kelsey Bruder home run scored three more, giving Florida a 5-1 lead. With one out, three straight Gators walked before Michelle Moultrie hit a single that scored two and moved the remaining runner to third. Moultrie then stole second, and Hilberth scored from third on an error by the catcher. Sisco, batting for the second time in the inning, doubled to score Moultrie.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 2)
After Morgan walked Paculba, the Tide replaced her in the circle with Amanda Locke. Locke gave up a single to Bruder that allowed Sisco to score, but then got Gardiner to fly out to finally end the third inning. Neither team scored in the remaining inning and a half, ending the game 10-1 in favor of the Gators after 4½ innings.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 3)
For the first time in the series, Florida scored first, but for the third time in the series, the team that scored second won. In the bottom of the first with one out, Kelsey Bruder singled and stole second, and Ali Gardiner walked. With two on and two out, Corrie Brooks singled up the middle to score Bruder. Alabama didn't make up that run until the top of the fourth. With one out, Ashley Holcombe singled through the right side and Kellie Eubanks walked.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 3)
After an outless fielder's choice loaded the bases, Brittany Rogers hit a fielder's choice that scored the runner from third and forced out the runner from second. A strike out ended the threat, but Alabama would score three more in the following inning. Alabama again loaded the bases, this time with no outs, before Whitney Larsen struck out and Holcombe reached on a fielding error by Brooks that allowed the Tide to score again. Eubanks struck out looking for the second out, but a 2 RBI single from Jazlyn Lunceford gave Alabama a 4-1 lead.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 3)
Stephanie Brombacher relieved Stacey Nelson in the top of the sixth, but she couldn't keep Alabama off the scoreboard either. She hit the first batter she faced with a pitch and allowed her to advance to second on an illegal pitch. Morgan and Cassie Reilly-Boccia each followed up with strike outs, but the runner scored on Lauren Parker's RBI single. The Crimson Tide scored once more to make it a 6-1 game in the top of the seventh on a one-out triple from Lunceford and a double from Rogers.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (Game 3)
Florida did not give up in the bottom of the seventh, beginning their rally with a walk for Aja Paculba. Bruder doubled to put them both in scoring position, and with one out, Francesca Enea hit a 3-run homer to left center, shrinking Alabama's lead to two. After Brooks and Bush consecutively walked, Hilberth struck out, and Michelle Moultrie hit a fly to deep right that was about five feet from going out of the park.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Auburn (Game 1)
Florida's offense sputtered against Auburn pitcher Anna Thompson; all three RBI came on two home runs. In the top of the third, Kelsey Bruder hit a two-out single down the right field line. Ali Gardiner then took her first pitch over the left field wall to give Florida a 2-0 lead. The Gators had two hits in the final four innings combined, but the hit from pinch hitter Michelle Moultrie in the top of the seventh was a solo homer to right center. Stacey Nelson got the win for the Gators, throwing a compact 72-pitch, two-hit shutout while striking out nine and walking none. Conversely, Thompson gave up three earned runs on five hits and four walks and struck out four on 134 pitches.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Auburn (Game 2)
Although Auburn committed three errors, none of them led to the Gators' seven runs as Florida had eight hits and drew three walks. After three straight innings of trading zeros, Florida and Auburn traded ones instead. In the top of the inning, Corrie Brooks hit a two-out double to right field and came home when Megan Bush repeated the feat to center. Auburn responded immediately when their lead off batter hit a homer off Stephanie Brombacher. Brombacher then allowed a single and a walk, making way for Stacey Nelson to replace her in the circle. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners over, Nelson struck out the next to batters, ending the threat.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Auburn (Game 2)
In the fifth, Florida countered with four more runs. Aja Paculba started things off with a one-out single through the left side, then stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Tiffany DeFelice and Ali Gardiner both walked, loading the bases for Francesca Enea, who hit a grand slam home run to left center. The following inning, pinch hitter Michelle Moultrie doubled with two outs and stole third. Paculba walked and stole second before DeFelice hit a single down the left field line to score both runners. Nelson got the win for Florida, while Jenee Loree took the loss for Auburn.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Mississippi State (Game 1)
Florida dominated Mississippi State in this five-inning contest. Although they scored only once on an RBI single from Kelsey Bruder in the first inning, the Gators ran away with the game in the second. The inning saw eight Gator runs score on five hits, including a single and 3-run homer from shortstop Megan Bush, and a Bulldog error. In the third, first baseman Ali Gardiner pushed the lead to 11 when she sent her 0-1 pitch to left center, scoring Aja Paculba and pinch runner Ami Austin, who were both on base because of singles.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Mississippi State (Game 1)
Senior pitcher Stacey Nelson let up on the Bulldogs in the top of the fourth, allowing four hits and two runs, reducing the Gators' lead to nine. Mississippi State managed their only back-to-back hits in the half-inning, scoring on an RBI single from Sammie Jo Bailey and a wild pitch from Nelson. Nelson struck out 10 batters in her five innings pitched.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Mississippi State (Game 2)
In sharp contrast to game one, the second game against Mississippi State ended with a walk-off grand slam from sophomore right fielder Kelsey Bruder. Florida managed to score a single run in the bottom of the second when third baseman Corrie Brooks hit an RBI double to score Francesca Enea, who was on base because of a walk. Unfortunately for the Gators, their bats would go silent for the next four innings thanks to a dominating performance by Bulldogs pitcher Lindsay Dunlap.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Mississippi State (Game 2)
The Bulldogs, however, would score twice in the top of the third to take their only lead of the series. Starter Stephanie Brombacher walked the leadoff batter, then committed an error that allowed batter Chelsea Bramlett to reach and the other runner to advanced all the way to third. With runners on the corners, Bramlett attempted to steal second, and was caught in a pickle that resulted in an error on shortstop Megan Bush and an unearned run for the Bulldogs. Bramlett advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a single from Ka'ili Smith.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Mississippi State (Game 2)
The two teams traded zeros in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, Florida trailing 1-2. The Gators wouldn't quietly take a defeat though. With one out, Kristina Hilberth and Paculba hit back-to-back singles to put the tying run in scoring position. Designated player Tiffany DeFelice grounded into what was almost a double play, if not for a great slide from Paculba, tripping the Bulldogs shortstop and allowing DeFelice to reach. With the tying run now 60 feet from home and two outs, Ali Gardiner hit an RBI single to center, and both runners moved up on the throw to home. Mississippi State elected to intentionally walk clean-up hitter Francesca Enea to get a more favorable left-on-left matchup with Bruder, who then hit a bases-loaded, bottom-of-the-seventh, full-count grand slam to right field to end the game with a Florida victory.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Mississippi State (Game 3)
The three runs scored by Florida in the bottom of the second inning were all they needed to secure the win. Stacey Nelson pitched a seven-inning, three-hit shutout while striking out seven and walking none.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Mississippi State (Game 3)
The Gators' only runs all came with two outs: the first a solo shot from Corrie Brooks, and the final two on a triple down the right field line from Michelle Moultrie that scored Megan Bush (walked on five pitches) and Kristina Hilberth (singled to left).


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Florida State
The Gators scored twice early in the game, both in quite unconventional ways. In the bottom of the first, sophomore Aja Paculba led off with a single up the middle and stole second. She moved to third on an Ali Gardiner ground out and scored on a wild pitch. In the third, with one out, freshman Michelle Moultrie laid down a bunt single to get on base. After a quick fly out, Moultrie attempted to steal second, and due to confusion on the call, began walking back to the dugout behind third base. After she was already several steps off the bag, she was judged safe by the umpire and took off for third. Florida State second baseman Kristie McConn attempted to throw her out, but the ball sailed far right of the third baseman. Moultrie scored on the throwing error.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Florida State
Florida's starting pitcher Stephanie Brombacher, who had pitched five scoreless innings to that point, allowed a 2-run homer to Kaleigh Rafter in the top of the sixth that tied the game. In the top of the seventh, Brombacher gave up a solo home run to Michelle Snyder. With two quick outs in the home half of seventh and Florida down by one, sophomore Megan Bush stepped into the batter's box and nailed the scoreboard in left center with her 2-2 pitch, sending the game into extra innings.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Florida State
With one down in the top of the eighth, Stacey Nelson came in to relieve Brombacher. After the Gators and Seminoles traded zeros in the eighth, Nelson allowed a hit to leadoff batter Jessica Gilmore in the ninth, but Florida State couldn't manufacture anything else. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Florida's leadoff batter, Francesca Enea, ended the game in walk-off fashion with her 12th homer of the year.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Kentucky (Game 1)
In game one against the Wildcats, the potent Florida offense managed only one hit against freshman Rachel Riley, but that was all they needed. In the top of the ninth, with a runner on and nobody out, Ali Gardiner broke up the no-hitter with a single through the left side. A Francesca Enea groundout moved both runners over, and a sacrifice fly from Kelsey Bruder scored Florida's only run of the game.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Kentucky (Game 1)
Stacey Nelson bailed out her offense, holding Kentucky scoreless for the entire nine-inning affair. The Wildcats, however, did threaten. In the second, they had the bases loaded with one out, but Nelson caught left fielder Annie Rowlands looking and forced right fielder Destinee Mordecai to ground out. They had a runner on third with one out again in the fourth, but Nelson recovered with 2 of her 12 strikeouts on the day. All together, the Wildcats left nine runners on base and six of them in scoring position.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Kentucky (Game 2)
Florida offense didn't wait nine innings to plate a run in game two; in the top of the first, left fielder Francesca Enea tied the school record for career home runs with a two-run bomb to left field. She would break the record in the fifth with a solo shot to center. In the second, shortstop Megan Bush singled and moved over to second on a Kristina Hilberth sacrifice bunt. Second baseman Aja Paculba scored Bush on an RBI double to right field.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Kentucky (Game 2)
Up 4-0 in the sixth, Florida added to its lead on a costly error by Kentucky right fielder Destinee Mordecai. With catcher Kristina Hilberth on first, nine-hole hitter Michelle Moultrie singled to right. Mordecai misplayed the ball, allowing it to roll all the way to the fence and Hilberth and the speedy Moultrie to score.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Kentucky (Game 2)
Stephanie Brombacher seemed back to her dominant self after a bout of the flu, striking out a career-high-tying 12 batters and walking none in seven innings.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Central Florida
In a game that coach Tim Walton used to preview next year's squad, Florida managed three runs on five hits and shutout their opponent for the 25th time this season. The third inning was eerily similar in the top and bottom: both pitchers seemed to have trouble with their control as Florida's Stephanie Brombacher and UCF's Magon Paul both hit two consecutive batters. The Knights were unable to capitalize as Brombacher forced two groundouts, but the Gators scored twice.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Central Florida
After Michelle Moultrie and Alicia Sisco were both hit, Aja Paculba reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Moultrie to move to third. Moultrie and Paculba both moved forward a base on a passed ball, giving Florida their first run of the game. Paculba would score from second on a single to center from Francesca Enea.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Central Florida
In the bottom of the sixth, with runners on first and second with one out, Moultrie hit a grounder to Central Florida's shortstop. As she was fielding the ball, she and pinch runner Le-Net Franklin collided, but the third base umpire made no call. After a quick flip to the third baseman, Franklin was called out, which infuriated Walton. He was ejected after a lengthy argument that included him throwing his hat to the ground. Sisco, the next Gator batter, fed off this energy, singling to score pinch runner Lauren Heil from second.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Central Florida
Brombacher pitched seven scoreless innings, only allowing three hits, walking none, and striking out ten.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 1)
Before this series, Tim Walton had never won in Baton Rouge. That all changed with another shutout from Stacey Nelson and a first-inning 2-run homer from Francesca Enea. With two outs in the top of the first, Ali Gardiner singled immediately before Enea hit her 15th home run of the season. Even though the Gator bats were relatively quite, they did manage to push another run across the plate in the fourth. Corrie Brooks walked to lead off the inning and was pushed to second on a sacrifice bunt from Megan Bush. Kristina Hilberth slapped a single to advance Brooks to third, making it to second on the throw home. Michelle Moultrie then hit a deep fly ball to right, scoring Brooks on a sacrifice fly. Hilberth was stranded on third when Aja Paculba flied out to left.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 1)
Although they outhit Florida 5-4, LSU was never able to get anything against the Gator's ace. Their best shot at a score came in the bottom of the seventh when a single, a groundout, a popup, and a second single gave LSU runners on the corners with two outs. Unfortunately for the Tigers, third baseman Jessica Mouse fouled out to her counterpart to end the game. Nelson pitched seven innings, allowed five hits, walked one, and struck out six.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 2)
Although the Gators left nine runners on base in game two against the Tigers, they did manage to score once, in the top of the fourth and prevented LSU from scoring for the second straight game. The one score came off Kelsey Bruder's lead off single. With one out, Megan Bush's sacrifice bunt moved Bruder to second. Kristina Hilberth followed up with a bouncing single up the middle to score her. Even though Hilberth moved to second on the throw home and to third on a passed ball, a Michelle Moultrie fly out left her stranded at bag.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 2)
Stephanie Brombacher throw six innings before being relieved by Stacey Nelson, who earned the save. Brombacher allowed only two hits, but walked three and only struck out four. Nelson struck out two of the three batters she faced.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 3)
The Gators broke out of their hitting slump in a game that swept LSU in Baton Rouge for the first time in school history. In the top of the first, Aja Paculba, who had gone 0-for-8 in the previous two games against the Tigers, led off with a single. After Paculba stole second (tying the single season stolen base record with 24), catcher Kristina Hilberth attempted to move her to third, but popped her bunt up to the third baseman.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 3)
Paculba would make it to third, however, on her way home when Ali Gardiner hit a home run to left, putting the Gators up 2-0. In the bottom of the inning, LSU would threaten, getting the bases loaded, but with two outs already on the board they couldn't capitalize. Stacey Nelson forced first baseman Anissa Young to slap one back to her to keep the Tigers off the board. In the second, the Gators would lead off with another single, this time from shortstop Megan Bush.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 3)
After an out from Alicia Sisco, Michelle Moultrie singled as well, moving Bush to second. Both runners would score on an error bye the Tiger shortstop, who allowed Hilberth's grounder to roll through her legs. Gardiner then hit her second home run of the game, bringing the Florida lead to six.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 3)
The Gators would score six more, all unearned, in the fourth. With one out, Paculba singled to left and Hilberth would reach again on a fielding error, this time by the pitcher. After Gardiner flew out to left, Francesca Enea hit an RBI single up the middle and advanced to second on the throw home. Kelsey Bruder cleared the bases with a homer that barely snuck over the right field wall. The final two runs of the game would come when Bush hit the fourth home run of the game to score herself and Corrie Brooks, who singled.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, LSU (Game 3)
Nelson pitched five more scoreless innings, walked only one, allowed five hits, and struck out seven.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arkansas (Game 1)
Florida got on the board in the bottom of the first when Francesca Enea hit a line-drive homer to center that also scored Aja Paculba, who walked. In the second, the Gators loaded the bases with a single from Alicia Sisco, another Paculba walk, and a single from Kristina Hilberth. Ali Gardiner scored Sisco and Paculba on a single to center, but Razorback pitcher Layne McGuirt reloaded the bases when she walked Enea. Bruder was walked to bring in Hilberth and Corrie Brooks scored Gardiner when the shortstop mishandled her grounder.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arkansas (Game 1)
Michelle Moultrie's groundout to short brought in Bruder and increased the Florida lead to seven. Former starter Kim Waleszonia, who missed 30 games due to a knee injury she sustained in the Cox Communications Invitational against Texas Tech, then replaced Sisco in the designated player spot. She flew out to the right fielder, who was standing on the warning track when she made the catch, to end the inning.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arkansas (Game 1)
Florida scored twice in both the third and fourth innings. Paculba led off the third with a single and was moved to third by a double from Hilberth. With two outs, Bruder scored them both on a stand-up double to right center. In the fourth, Megan Bush drew a lead-off walk and pinch hitter Tiffany DeFelice doubled. Waleszonia sent them both home on a single up the middle.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arkansas (Game 1)
Stacey Nelson got the start and pitched three innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Stephanie Brombacher came into the game in the top of the fourth, pitched two innings of hitless relief, and struck out two.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arkansas (Game 2)
Florida broke the single season home run record with Kelsey Bruder's grand slam in the second and tied the school record for shutouts in a single season with their 30th. Stacey Nelson pitched the first four innings of game two, allowed only one hit, and struck out five. Stephanie Brombacher allowed one hit as well in her single inning of work and finished with one 'K'.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arkansas (Game 2)
Offensively, the Gators were very impressive, going 12-for-24 as a team, walked twice, and not one batter struck out. In the bottom of the first, Aja Paculba, Francesca Enea, and Kelsey Bruder all singled with Paculba and Enea scoring runs. Corrie Brooks laced a single of her own at the beginning of the next frame. After Alicia Sisco was hit by a pitch, Brooks would score on a Paculba double. Kristina Hilberth walked to load the bases before Ali Gardiner singled to score Sisco and keep the bases full. That's when Bruder nailed her 12th home run of the season to stretch the lead to eight. Florida scored their final three runs in the third inning on a homer from Gardiner.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arkansas (Game 3)
In Florida's ninth straight shutout, senior Stacey Nelson pitched her second career no-hitter and Aja Paculba broke the single-season stolen base record with 25. Nelson also struck out eight, which brought her total career strikeout total to 1,007, and walked one. The only number the Razorbacks managed to get on the board was an error in the first when their left fielder ran past an Ali Gardiner single, allowing Paculba to score.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Arkansas (Game 3)
The Gators scored again in the third on a two-run home run from Kelsey Bruder and in the fourth on a single that drove in pinch-runner Michelle Moultrie, who stole second after Kim Waleszonia was walked. An inning later, Bruder was walked with one out and moved to second on a single from Megan Bush. Moultrie hit a single of her own to bring home Bruder. The Gators scored their final run in the sixth; Paculba led off with another single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Gardiner moved her to third with a base hit, and Francesca Enea got the RBI on a groundout to short.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Longwood (Game 1)
Florida used two big offensive innings and a one-hitter from Stacey Nelson to beat Longwood in five innings on senior day. Nelson allowed her only hit of the game to the first batter she faced, but two strikeouts and a fly out left the runner stranded. In the bottom of that inning, with Kristina Hilberth on base with one out due to a walk, Ali Gardiner hit a single through the right side. Kelsey Bruder brought in the first run of the game on her own single, and both remaining runners moved into scoring position on the throw home. Corrie Brooks followed with a similar play that scored Gardiner from third and allowed her to take second. Kim Waleszonia sent both runners home on yet another single, and Le-Net Franklin cleared the bases with her first career home run.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Longwood (Game 1)
In the bottom of the fourth, up 6-0 with two outs, the Gators loaded the bases with two singles and a walk. After Bruder walked to score a run and keep the bases full of Gators, Brooks drilled her eighth home run and fourth grand slam of the year. Up by 11, the game ended via mercy rule and gave Florida their 32nd shutout of the season.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Longwood (Game 2)
The Gators won game two against the Lancers using small ball and scattered scoring along with a two-hit pitching performance from Stephanie Brombacher. In the first, Aja Paculba led off with a walk and stole second. Kim Waleszonia moved her to third on a sacrifice bunt, and Francesca Enea scored her with a sacrifice fly to deep center, Enea's 11th career sac fly and a new school record. Megan Bush led off the following inning with a double to right center before Tiffany DeFelice sacrificed to moved her to third. Alicia Sisco got the RBI on a groundout to second.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Longwood (Game 2)
After a one-two-three third inning, Florida put two runners on with nobody out when Kelsey Bruder was hit by a pitch, and Corrie Brooks singled. Bush advanced them both with yet another Florida sacrifice bunt. Tiffany DeFelice scored Bruder on a groundout before Alicia Sisco struck out to end the inning. The sixth was the biggest offense inning for the Gators, who scored three and left three on-base. Enea walked to start off the inning and was replaced with pinch runner Brooke Johnson.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Longwood (Game 2)
After a Bruder strike out, Brooks and Bush consecutively singled to score Johnson, but Brooks was caught in a pickle between second and third for the second out. DeFelice hit her first and the Gators' 69th home run of the year to make it 6-0. Pinch hitter Ali Gardiner walked, Le-Net Franklin singled, and pinch hitter Kristina Hilberth singled to load the bases. However, Michelle Moultrie, who replaced Waleszonia on the bases paths an inning earlier, popped up to first to end the threat.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Longwood (Game 3)
The Gators squandered countless scoring opportunities in a 3-1 regular-season-ending win that saw 14 Florida runners stranded on base. Longwood ended a 74-inning stretch where Florida's pitching staff had not allowed a single run. The run came in the top of the third on a controversial play in which Stacey Nelson overthrew Aja Paculba, who was covering first. With a runner already on first via a single, the Lancer second baseman laid down a bunt, reached on Nelson's error, and both runners advanced two bases when the ball bounced all the way to the rolled-up tarp in right field.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Longwood (Game 3)
Kristina Hilberth picked off the pinch runner at third for the first out, and Nelson struck out the next two batters. Florida responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs. Francesca Enea led off with a four-pitch walk, Kelsey Bruder, who was nearly hit by a pitch in her first at bat, was pegged on the elbow, and Corrie Brooks doubled to bring in pinch runner Brooke Johnson and tie the game at 1-all. Hilberth put the Gators ahead for good with a game-winning RBI single up the middle.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Longwood (Game 3)
Florida scored their final run in the bottom of the sixth on a Bruder solo home run to right. After both Ali Gardiner and Enea flew out to deep left and center fields, respectively, Bruder, who had been hit by a second pitch in her previous at-bat, gave the Gators their 70th home run of season. In the top of the final inning, Nelson hit Lancer pitcher Briana Wells before striking out her 10th and 11th batters and exiting the game to a standing ovation along with fellow seniors Gardiner and Hilberth.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Auburn (SEC Tournament)
In the first round of the SEC Tournament, Florida scored early and used good defense and pitching to close out Auburn. The Gators scored in the first when Francesca Enea doubled to deep left center, scoring Aja Paculba and Kristina Hilberth. Paculba lead off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hilberth's single did not advance her to third, but both moved up on another wild pitch. Paculba homered to start off the bottom of the third, and the Gators would hold on from there.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Auburn (SEC Tournament)
Stacey Nelson, the SEC Pitcher of the Year for the second straight year, threw seven scoreless innings allowing two hits, a walk, and struck out five. The closest the Tigers got to a run was in the top of the fourth when Auburn got two runners on with no outs. Florida got the force out at third and a groundout to the pitcher on the next two plays, and both runners were stranded on a pop up to shortstop Megan Bush who ended the threat with an off-balance catch.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Tennessee (SEC Tournament)
Florida started badly when Megan Bush committed an error on a hard-hit grounder, allowing the runner to reach. Then, with two outs, starting pitcher Stephanie Brombacher walked clean-up hitter Jessica Spigner. The next batter scored Tennessee's first run on a single, which also moved the other runner to third. After a double from right fielder Erin Webb scored both runners and a walk, Brombacher forced a pop-up to Bush for the third out. With Tennessee leading 3-0, the Gator offense put Florida back on top.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Tennessee (SEC Tournament)
Aja Paculba led off with a double to left center, and after a groundout from Kristina Hilberth moved Paculba to third, Ali Gardiner brought the Gators back to within one with a homer to left. With two outs, Kelsey Bruder was hit on the helmet with a pitch. Corrie Brooks brought her home with a triple, and Brooks gave Florida the lead with an RBI single from Bush.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Tennessee (SEC Tournament)
Stacey Nelson relieved Brombacher in the second and managed out of a bases-loaded jam in which she walked three Volunteer batters. In the bottom of the second, Tennessee brought in a new pitcher of their own in the bottom of the inning, but it made no difference. With two outs, Gardiner walked and Francesca Enea hit her 17th home run of the season, tying her own Florida single season home run record and breaking the single season RBI record she set in the previous season. The Gators followed up Enea's homer with two more from Bruder and Brooks.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Tennessee (SEC Tournament)
With Nelson in the circle keeping Tennessee scoreless for the remainder of the game, Florida scored a run in each of the final innings, ending with an 11-3 mercy rule victory. In the third, Tiffany DeFelice started off the inning with a single, and Michelle Moultrie moved her to second on a bunt single. A wild pitch advanced both runners, and Hilberth's groundout scored pinch runner Le-Net Franklin. Bruder walked with no outs in the fourth, moved to third on a wild pitch and a Brooks's single, and Franklin got the RBI on a groundout to the pitcher. Florida ended the game in walk-off fashion when Bruder hit a double that scored pinch runner Ami Austin, who was on second base after a Gardiner fielder's choice and an Enea walk, from second.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (SEC Tournament)
The Gators won their second straight SEC Tournament Title in a surprisingly high-scoring game with the Crimson Tide. Stacey Nelson and Alabama's Kelsi Dunne gave up a combined 10 earned runs and 11 hits, and both defenses committed uncommon errors, the first of which led off the game. Brittany Rodgers reached for the Tide on a throwing error by catcher Kristina Hilberth. Hilberth, however, would rectify the situation when she caught Rodgers stealing during the next at-bat. The Tide loaded the bases with one out when Nelson walked two and allowed a hit.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (SEC Tournament)
Nelson hit Ashley Holcombe to give Alabama a run and a wild pitch allowed them to score a second time. The remaining two runners were stranded in scoring position when Nelson struck out SEC Freshman of the Year Amanda Locke and Whitney Larsen. In the bottom of the first inning, the Gators responded much like they did in their previous game against Tennessee. Aja Paculba reached first on a hit by pitch before Tiffany DeFelice's at-bat ended prematurely on a diving catch in foul territory from Alabama third baseman Kelley Montalvo.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (SEC Tournament)
Ali Gardiner and Francesca Enea loaded the bases when they were walked and hit by a pitch, respectively. Kelsey Bruder walked to cut the lead to one, and Corrie Brooks reached on a fielder's choice that forced Gardiner out at the plate. With two outs and bases loaded, Megan Bush fought through a 15-pitch at-bat that ended in her second grand slam of the season and a 5-2 Gator lead.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (SEC Tournament)
The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the fourth when Florida increased their lead to five. Paculba tripled to start off the half-inning and scored on a suicide squeeze from DeFelice. With two outs, Enea was hit by a pitch for the third straight time. Pinch runner Brooke Johnson scored on the next play when Bruder doubled to left center. Alabama designated player Charlotte Morgan narrowed the margin to four in the top of the fifth with a solo home run, the first of the season given up by Nelson.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Alabama (SEC Tournament)
In Florida's last offensive inning, they scored one final insurance run on a Bruder RBI single with runners on first and second. In the top of the seventh, the Tide tried to mount a comeback, but fell short. Lauren Parker led off with a single, and Morgan reached base on an error by Bush. After both advanced on a wild pitch, Nelson walked Cassie Reilly-Boocia to load the bases with no outs. One run scored on each of two groundouts, narrowing the margin to three runs, but Nelson struck out Larsen to end the game with a Gator win.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Florida A&M (NCAA Gainesville Regional - Game 2)
Florida sailed in their NCAA Tournament opener against Florida A&M. Stephanie Brombacher threw a two-hit, five-inning shutout and the Gator offense hit three home runs. In the bottom of the first, Aja Paculba led off with a home run, Kristina Hilberth followed up with a high chopper up the middle, and Ali Gardiner walked. With one out, Kelsey Bruder hit an RBI double that moved Gardiner to third. A sacrifice fly from Corrie Brooks scored her but left Bruder at second.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Florida A&M (NCAA Gainesville Regional - Game 2)
Megan Bush brought her home in the following at-bat with the Gators' second home run of the game, upping the Florida lead to five. The second inning was more of the same; with Paculba (walk), Hilberth (single), and Gardiner (walk) all on base, Florida's all-time RBI leader got two more with a single to center field. Brooks cleared the bases two batters later on a homer to left center, increasing the lead to 10. The final scores for Florida came on Paculba's two RBI single that brought home Bush, who was on third after a walk, and Kim Waleszonia, who was on second after a double.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Texas A&M (NCAA Gainesville Regional - Game 3)
The Gators won game two of the Gainesville Regional behind 14 strike outs from Stacey Nelson, stellar defense, and timing hitting. Florida scored single runs in each of the first two innings on a Kelsey Bruder two-out RBI single that scored Kristina Hilberth, who doubled, and an Aja Paculba two-out RBI single that scored Megan Bush, who doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Texas A&M (NCAA Gainesville Regional - Game 3)
Texas A&M was aggressive on the base paths, leading to two pick-offs. In the top of the second, after Rhiannon Kliesing doubled and Bailey Scroeder struck out, Alex Reynolds singled to shallow left field. Kliesing tried to take third on the play, but Francesca Enea threw a strike to Corrie Brooks, who got the tag in plenty of time. In the top half of the third, Natalie Villareal led off with a single.


2009 Florida Gators softball team, Game notes, Texas A&M (NCAA Gainesville Regional - Game 3)
Macie Morrow singled to right in the next at-bat, and Villareal went to third on the play; right fielder Kim Waleszonia threw the ball to third trying to get Villareal, but the throw was not in-time. Brooks quickly threw back to second, and Bush, who was covering, got the tag on Morrow. Texas A&M did score in the fifth on back-to-back doubles from Villareal and Morrow.