Kendra Falby has what scouts might call "game-changing speed."
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One second, the centerfielder is swinging at a pitch. The next, she's already rounding second and putting pressure on the opposing defense. And when she's on first or second base, catchers better beware. Her 25 stolen bases this season are tied for eighth-best in the NCAA.
Falby's wheels are on full display every time the University of Florida Gators Softball team takes the field, but her inside-the-park home run wowed fans like never before.
Kendra Falby's Inside-the-Park Home Run
INSIDE. THE. PARK. HOMER. 🐊 @GatorsSB pic.twitter.com/pH3MDCNN28
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 15, 2022
The Gators were taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at home and were locked in a 0-0 game in the bottom of the sixth inning.
That's when Florida's star freshman stepped in the box determined to change the score.
Falby lifted a high flyball that bounced off the left field wall and caromed back into the outfield. The MSU outfielders took too much time getting to it and probably didn't realize who was running the base paths.
Falby looked like she was trying out for the Olympic track team the way she turned on the jets. There wasn't even a play at the plate.
How Falby's Speed is Helping Florida's Offense
B6 | @kfalby7 ⚡️ with the inside-the-park HOME RUN gives the Gators the lead! #GoGators
Gators 1 | Bulldogs 0
📺 @SECNetwork
📱💻 https://t.co/uwrwqma3c8 pic.twitter.com/R3rgODUICI— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) March 15, 2022
The Odessa, Florida, native is undoubtedly a fire starter at the top of Florida's lineup. She, along with teammate Skylar Wallace's 30 stolen bases, are a big reason Florida has one of the top offenses in the country.
The key for Falby is getting on base, which she's done a whole lot of. She's hitting .418 and gets on base half the time she takes a trip to the plate. Plus, she's extremely efficient once she decides to attempt to swipe a bag. She's only been caught stealing three times in 28 attempts, the second-most in Gainesville behind Wallace's 32 attempted heists.
Florida Gators Softball hasn't had multiple base-stealers like this since maybe 2017. They haven't had someone like Falby since Kelsey Stewart was on the team. Maybe head coach Tim Walton is realizing that speed is vital to scoring in softball. Especially with potent bats like Hannah Adams, Reagan Walsh and Cheyenne Lyndsey further down in their lineup.
At 30-6, Florida is on their usual roll to start the season. Star freshman Kendra Falby is a big reason why they can expect to go far.
