The postseason is a time when athletes rise to the occasion and become superstars. It's where hurlers like Montana Fouts makes her money (quite literally these days) and teams like the Oklahoma Sooners show exactly why they're the queens of the sport.
During last week's SEC Softball Tournament, the Florida Gators and Arkansas Razorbacks were engaged in a heated battle at Gainesville's Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. In the third inning, UF freshman catcher Sam Roe went all out, putting her body on the line to make a spectacular diving catch.
Although Florida wound up losing the game, Roe's catch was the highlight from the tournament.
Sam Roe's Diving Wall Catch
𝘞𝘌 𝘎𝘖 𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘋 𝘈𝘓𝘓 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘛𝘐𝘔𝘌‼️ #GoGators
cc: @uhohsamroe @NFCAorg | @RawlingsSB | #RawlingsGoldGloveAward
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) May 14, 2022
Arkansas rolled through the SEC Tournament, taking home its first title in program history. Behind SEC Player of the Year KB Sides and SEC Pitcher of the Year Chenise Delce, the 1-seed Razorbacks were undoubtedly the team to beat.
Florida and Arkansas met in the semifinals, where Roe made her incredible diving catch with Sides at the plate. Florida's dugout went bonkers. The fans couldn't get enough. Roe's face may have took a beating, however. It was the type of play that gets everyone fired up.
Here’s the great catch by Sam Roe. Freshman catcher sacrificing her body for the out for @GatorsSB. pic.twitter.com/eSSQP9OnNZ
— Rhiannon Potkey (@RPotkey) May 14, 2022
The freshman from Destin, Florida has a knack for the big moments.
In her first career game against Kansas City on February 12, she cranked a home run for her first collegiate hit. She's gone 26-for-92 (.283) at the plate, but clearly head coach Tim Walton needs to keep her in games for her defense.
Florida went on to lose the game after pitcher Rylee Trlicek had some trouble fielding her position on numerous ground balls that came her way. Still, Roe's catch was the moment I'll remember from this game.
Sam Roe and the Gators can now look forward to hosting a regional and welcoming Georgia Tech, Wisconsin and Canisius College to Gainesville. They open with Canisius on Friday.