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Florida softball

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 8, 2002

2001 RECORD: 37-28, 14-15 SEC.

COACH: Karen Johns (37-28, second season).

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Jr. 3B Jennifer Mossadeghi (.317, team-high 34 runs, top returning batter); So. SS Jenilee Garner (.316, 18 runs, 44 starts at four positions); Jr. C Bree Berger (.289, started every game, including 26 at catcher and 37 at designated player; threw out 19 of 27 batters).

KEY NEWCOMERS: 1B Ashley Cutcliff (Zionsville, Ind.); 2B/SS Mandy Schuerman (Riverview East Bay); C Ashlie Goble (Pine, Col., Mullen); P Amanda Knowles (Fort Lauderdale Aquinas).

THE LOWDOWN: Florida opens the season today with the GRU Classic, which includes South Florida, Florida International and North Carolina. The Gators return nine starters and are deepest in the outfield, where nine players are vying for three spots. Although the Gators lost three starters at pitcher, catcher and first base, Johns believes she has the players to step up and fill those roles. The best part about this team, Johns believes, is its versatility. Several players proved during the fall season that they can be useful in many roles.

SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY

8-10 -- GRU Classic; 14 -- Washington, 4; 14 -- Washington, 6; 15-17 -- UF Conference Center Invite; 19 -- St. John's, 4; 22-24 -- at Cajun Classic.

MARCH

1-3 -- at Easton Classic; 6 -- at Cal State Fullerton (DH), 8; 9 -- at LSU (DH), 1; 10 -- at LSU, 1; 16 -- Kentucky (DH), noon; 17 -- Kentucky, noon; 19 -- at Alabama (DH), 7; 20 -- at Alabama, 3; 22-24 -- Gator Invitational; 26 -- Auburn (DH), 5; 27 -- Auburn, 5; 30 -- Arkansas (DH), noon; 31 -- Arkansas, noon.

APRIL

6 -- at Mississippi (DH), 2; 7 -- at Mississippi, 2; 10 -- at South Florida (DH), 5; 13 -- Georgia (DH), noon; 14 -- Georgia, noon; 17 -- at Florida State (DH), 4; 20 -- South Carolina (DH), noon; 21 -- South Carolina, noon; 25 -- at Tennessee (DH), 7; 26 -- at Tennessee, 7.

MAY

4 -- at Mississippi State (DH), noon; 5 -- at Mississippi State, 12:30; 9-12 -- SEC tournament.

(DH) -- Doubleheader