Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Hosting a No. 1 team for the first time in program history, the Toreros (9-9) were shutout 8-0 by the top ranked Florida Gators Saturday afternoon. The Gators scored at least one run in every inning but one and held the Toreros to just one hit as they improved to 21-0.

The Toreros and Paige von Sprecken quickly found themselves in hot water after allowing a leadoff single and walking the Gators' No. 2 hitter. Those runners moved up after a sacrifice bunt by Lauren Haeger, and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly and double giving Florida an early 2-0 lead.

The Toreros didn't help their cause in the top of the third. Von Sprecken hit the leadoff batter and then loaded the bases after giving up a single and walk. With two outs, von Sprecken induced a ground ball but the Torero defense couldn't handle it, allowing an unearned run to score. The Gators added to their total in the following inning with a Bailey Castro solo home run to right, bringing the score to 4-0 Florida.

The Gators bats stayed hot in the fifth inning. After a pair of singles, the Gators attempted a double steal and scored on a USD throwing error. Two batters later, they tacked on one more with a sacrifice fly. The following batter, Kristi Merrit, hit a two run homer to left, extending the Gators lead to 8-0.

Kailey Hill led off the bottom of the fifth with a hard hit single to right for the Toreros first hit of the day, but they couldn't push a run across the plate, ending the game at 8-0 after five innings.

Freshman Paige von Sprecken (7-3) had her worst start of the season against the Gators' high-powered offense, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits in five innings. Florida's Aleshia Ocasio (6-0) threw five shutout innings and allowed just one hit.

Weather permitting, the Toreros will play UC Davis at 11:30 a.m. followed by a game against Cal Poly. For scheduling updates, check usdtoreros.com or @USDToreros on Twitter.