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You know, I have been covering University of Florida athletics for over 30 years now and never, ever have I had the pleasure to say that a team was 65-3 during a season.

Until now.

And the weird part about it is that win total could go up even more if the number one ranked University of Florida softball team picks up more wins this weekend as it hosts a Super Regional against Cal. If Florida wins there, it will make its first ever trip to the softball College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

I don't care what sport you are playing or at what level, to be 65-3 at anything is truly remarkable. It has been a magical ride for this Gator softball team but this group knows it has more work to do to accomplish its goal of getting to Oklahoma City.

In winning its NCAA Regional at home last weekend, Florida actually lost a game, a 1-0 extra inning affair against UCF. In the long run, maybe that loss wasn't such a bad thing; yes, it broke a winning streak of nearly 40 games but it may also have made this team realize that simply rolling out there with a great record will not guarantee a win. Being number one is great but it does have its price; everyone is gunning to beat you and the Gators must stay hungry and aggressive to be successful.

Many have asked me why this team is so good. Well remember, last year the Gator softball team came this close to making it to the College World Series, losing a Super Regional at Texas A&M and a nice core of players returned this year from that team.

Another reason for success this year is team chemistry. I know this can be overstated at times but this Gator team does have that chemistry. The kids come from all different parts of the country but that diversity has proven to be a good thing. Head coach Tim Walton and his staff have done a nice job of molding this team and recruiting kids that buy into his philosophy. Walton is a dot the i's and cross the t's kind of coach but he also lets the kids have fun as well and the combination has worked.

The bottom line is you win with talent and Florida has plenty of it, starting in the circle with National Player of the Year candidate, junior pitcher Stacey Nelson. Nelson is 43-3 with a 0.75 earned run average. In softball, if you have a dominant pitcher, you can go a long way, and Nelson IS dominant. Freshman Stephanie Brombacher isn't bad either; she's 19-0 and has performed well when called upon.

Offensively, this Gator team is solid, hitting .313 with no easy outs in the lineup. First baseman Ali Gardiner is hitting .404 with 55 r-b-i; Francesca Enea leads the team with 15 home runs and 57 r-b-i. Leadoff hitter Kim Walezonia is hitting .369 with 20 steals and is as good a leadoff hitter and table setter as you will find.

Maybe the most surprising thing about this team is the play of its freshmen, who have come in and made immediate impacts. Shortstop Megan Bush, (.278, 12 homers) second baseman Aja Paculba, (.335, 15 steals) and designated hitter Tiffany DeFelice (.299, 7/33) have contributed from the first day and they've given the veterans a nice shot in the arm with their solid play.

Throw all that together, and you have a 65-3 team!

We all know everyone loves a winner, and as the softball team has won, the crowds have picked up in numbers, and there was an overflow crowd for the NCAA Regional here last weekend. That's to be expected. But I love the way the crowds have reacted toward this Gator team, and those crowds are different from almost all others on campus. Gator baseball crowds tend to be reserved and arrive late; the crowd for the regionals arrived early and actually stood and applauded loudly as the Gators walked to their dugout BEFORE THE GAME STARTED. If I were a player right then, I would have had goose bumps for sure.

As great as this season has been, I believe every player and coach would tell you it would be a huge disappointment if this team didn't make it to Oklahoma City. One more obstacle lies in its path, but once again, the Gators can play at home in front of its large crowd.

Maybe the magical ride that has been the Gator softball season can last just a little longer...all the way to Oklahoma City.