GAINESVILLE -- Florida showed no mercy for Mercer University to coast through another NCAA Regional in softball and into the Super Regionals.
The Gators' 8-0 win against the Bears in five innings Sunday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium moved UF to 33-1 at home during the NCAA tournament's opening round since the time coach Tim Walton's program did not advance to the second weekend.
A day after overpowering FAU 14-6 in five innings behind four home runs, Florida (46-11) overwhelmed Mercer for the Gators' third straight mercy-rule win -- a first for Walton's program.
"It's really good momentum," sophomore pitcher Keagan Rothrock said after moving to 14-5 with the shutout win. "But this weekend's over. We're putting it behind us.
"We have a new week ahead of us, a new week to prepare for, a new opponent to prepare for."
A return to the Super Regional will be old hat, marking Florida's 16th appearance since Walton's 2006 arrival. Florida awaits Georgia or Duke next weekend in Gainesville.
Georgia stunned UF in the 2016 Super Regionals at home and also defeated the Gators in 2021 to keep them from reaching the Women's College World Series.
Walton's program has reached the WCWS 12 times.
"My son said to me after the game, 'How many text messages you got?' ... 'Four,'" Walton recalled. "He goes, 'Four?' I'm like, 'People are just used to it.'
"It's what these kids came here for -- for the opportunity to compete for championships."
Sunday's lopsided victory against Mercer (40-26) was little surprise two days after the Gators bested the Bears by the same score.
Coach Lindsay Fico's team rebounded to eliminate Georgia Tech 7-3 Saturday, and then ousted FAU 7-0 in the nightcap to reach Sunday's matchup against the well-rested Gators.
"What a great accomplishment that this season was for their team, and just their unbelievable resiliency," Walton said.
Walton's powerful lineup pounced on pitcher Hannah Pitts (8-10).
Florida scored in every inning and finished with eight hits by seven players and drew six bases on balls.
"We're a tough, tough matchup because our lineup is pretty good," Walton said. "They proved that today."
Sophomore Ava Brown's 3-run home run highlighted the effort and gave her 10 in 2025, one of six Gators now with double-digit home runs. First baseman Reagan Walsh was 2 of 2 with an RBI.
"We have a new player of the game, a new star every single game," Walton said. "It's been really fun to see just how deep we are. We don't rely on one person; we can rely on a team."
Florida now aims to build on a dominant weekend and avoid a letdown.
The Gators ended the regular season by capturing two of three games against top-ranked Oklahoma, the first time they beat the nation's No. 1 team during a series and just days after LSU mercy-ruled them 10-2 in six innings in Baton Rouge.
But Florida then lost to Ole Miss in extra innings at the SEC Tournament, where the Gators were the defending champion.
Walton's displeasure was obvious when his team returned home.
"Just long days," Brown said.
Those tough practices allowed the Gators to make short work of Mercer and catch a wave of momentum when it matters most.
"The Gators know how to play whenever it's important," Brown said. "I feel like we thrive under pressure because of how tough practice is and how tough we prepare. At the end of the day, everything goes back to your preparation."