Ex-Gator Williams returns to face Florida in Super Regional showdown with Texas Tech
GAINESVILLE - Mia Williams' path to another Women’s College World Series will have to go through her former team.
After transferring from Florida to Texas Tech following last season, the former Gators infielder returns as one of the key obstacles standing between Tim Walton’s program and a trip to the sport’s showcase event.
Williams' meeting with Florida adds intrigue to the marquee NCAA Super Regional matchup between sixth-seeded Gators (51-10) and 11th-seeded Red Raiders (55-6), beginning Friday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The daughter of former Florida basketball star Jason Williams has emerged as one of the nation’s premier power hitters, batting .435 with a team-leading 22 home runs and 77 RBI.
When the NCAA Tournament bracket was announced May 10, Williams immediately recognized the possibility of facing her former teammates chatted.
"Obviously we chatted after the selection show,” Williams, a former Windemere Prep standout, said Thursday. “We were like, hopefully we will see each other, because we had to make it out of the regional. Super cool that I get to see some of them."
Florida right fielder Cassidy McClellan, who arrived alongside Williams in the 2024 signing class, said the unique dynamic is an afterthought.
"Right now, we’re just trying to focus on the Gators, so just controlling what we can control and playing Gator softball," McClellan said.
Texas Tech will be a tough out for a Florida program seeking its 13th trip to the WCWS under Walton.
A season after losing in three games to Texas in the WCSW finals, Texas Tech boasts one of the nation’s most dangerous lineups, ranking second nationally with a .389 batting and third with 128 home runs.
All-American NiJaree Canady and UCLA transfer Kaitlyn Terry provide a dominant 1-2 punch on the mound. The right-handed Canady is 23-5 with a 1.42 ERA and 215 strikeouts while the left-handed Terry is 24-1 with a 1.39 ERA and 152 strikeouts.
"She’s a rare talent," Walton said of Canady. "She’s somebody who combines velocity, speed and location - and she’s a winner."
Florida counters with an offense that ranks seventh nationally in both batting average (.355) and home runs (102) behind leadoff hitter Taylor Shumaker (.446, 18 HRs, 87 runs) and Jocelyn Erickson (.404, 20 HR, 71 RBI).
"We’re seeing this in the last probably three years now … with the good teams, the lineup goes one through nine," Walton said. "There’s three on the bench. That’s what you see with their team. You can’t take a pitch off."
Florida right-hander Keegan Rothrock (29-6, 2.55 ERA) will have to be at her best, but enters the series in good form. She allowed just five hits and two earned runs across15 innings during last weekend’s Gainesville Regional.
Williams is expected to receive plenty of attention from the sold-out crowd whenever she steps to the plate. After recording 19 home runs and 44 RBI, she has elevated her game further under Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco.
"He knows me, even though we really only know each other for a little bit,” she said. “He’s just a really good coach to have in my corner while hitting."
Also in Williams' corner will be her famous father and family, who plan to attend the series.
"It’s fun that we get to come back close to home," she said. "A lot of my family will be here."
As for a atmosphere awaiting her in Gainesville, Williams said it won’t change her approach.
"It doesn’t matter," she said. "No matter where we play it’s going to be tough from here on out. Two really good teams playing softball."
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 5:42 PM.