Florida buries its painful past during a fun run to the WCWS championship series

— -- OKLAHOMA CITY -- Her team's season on the line for the second time in less than a week, Florida sophomore Amanda Lorenz sent teammate Delanie Gourley a text message in the hours before a super regional elimination game against Alabama on May 26. It was part motivation, as might be expected in such a moment, but also part apology to a pitcher on behalf of those supposed to support her.

"You keep us in this game, and I promise somehow, some way, we're going to get you a run," Lorenz said of the message she sent. "Just keep us in this game. I know we haven't been getting you the runs, but it's starting now. We'll figure it out."

Spoiler alert: Florida will take the field Monday as one of only two teams still playing softball at the Women's College World Series.