No one saw it coming. The Gator Softball team was on a 29-game winning streak, had just hit a grand slam to get past Alabama and into Omaha, and seemed to be the hottest team in the country. They had their ace pitcher, Sr Stacey Nelson, manning the mound to start the series against Washington and everything seemed to be ready to continue their winning ways. Then, it all fell apart Monday night.

"It’s a game of highs and lows and I’ve never seen this team this low," said Coach Tim Walton.

Certainly, no one else has either. This team has never gotten man-handled in all phases of the game like Washington did to them. At least, not since Waltontook the program over.

The game ended 8-0, but that's not even the worst of it. It actually should've been ruled game over by the eight-run rule, although that rule doesn't apply in Omaha for the WCWS (Women's College World Series). Apparently, that isn't a well-known rule to the fans, teams, coaches, media, or even the umpires. After the game would've normally been called, the teams lined up to shake hands, the fans rushed to the exits, and even the umpires left the field. Then, everyone had to come back out to finish the final inning game. Sound humiliating? It looked even worse. Maybe the Gators can use that as motivation tonight? 

The Gators play again tonight and face elimination in the best-of-three series at 8pm.

"There is something that is not clicking..." Pitcher Stacey Nelson commented. That much was easy to see. Let's just hope they can get back to clicking for the next two games to continue playing in Omaha.

Rusty Thompson is one of the founders of GatorTailgating.com.