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Despite having to absorb tough losses that ended their seasons prematurely, the University of Florida softball and baseball teams had terrific seasons.

The Gator softball team did fall short of its goal of winning a national title but finished as the national runnerup after making a second straight trip to the Women's College World Series. Florida won 133 games over the past two seasons behind one of the greatest pitchers in college softball history, Stacey Nelson.

She may be the most difficult player to replace next season, although Stephanie Brombacher is back and will probably be penciled in as number one in the circle. Florida has signed a pitcher from California and a walk on is also expected to add depth to this position.

Nelson was part of a wonderful senior class that must be replaced as Florida must find a new first baseman for Ali Gardiner, a new catcher for the very underrated Kristina Hilberth and a new outfielder for Kim Waleszonia.

If I had to venture a guess, catcher might be by committee at least to start out with and Tiffany DeFelice might be the one getting the most work. Michelle Moultrie, who played a lot in place of Waleszonia when she got hurt, would probably claim the centerfield job and there is a chance Kelsey Bruder could be moved back to first base and if so, that opens up an outfield spot.

A nice core of players returns as outfielder Francesca Enea and her powerful bat returns as do starters Aja Paculba, Corrie Brooks and Melanie Bush. Alicia Sisco, who hit very well in a limited role, is also back and could claim the vacant outfield spot.

All told, the Gator softball team looks good again for 2010.

While expectations were high for Gator softball right from the start of the season, the same can't be said for Gator baseball. A lot of question marks needed to be answered and most fans probably were just hopeful of a postseason appearance.

Instead, the Florida baseball team got to be a top eight national seed, host an NCAA Regional and win it, and host a Super Regional. Credit Southern Mississippi for coming here and derailing Florida's trip to Omaha but the Gator season was still a surprise and a success nonetheless.

Despite the lack of a true number one starter, Gator coach Kevin O'Sullivan mixed and matched the hot hand and the pitching staff did get a boost when senior lefty Stephen Locke came back to the team from a suspension. The strength of the pitching staff all year long though was a very deep and talented bullpen and the good news is that a lot of the arms that performed well in those roles were freshmen who should all be better with a year of experience.

Florida will lose the bat of senior Avery Barnes in the outfield and the leadership of Brandon McArthur in the infield and the hot bat of Teddy Foster will also be lost behind the plate. But like in softball, a nice nucleus of players returns, led by freshman phenom Preston Tucker who set a Florida record with 85 r-b-i to go along with 15 homers and a .364 batting average. Mike Mooney and Josh Adams are back in the infield and Matt den Dekker and the Pigott brothers return in the outfield. A host of catchers return and the Gators could sign two very good young catchers as well.

Of course, that could change because of the upcoming MLB Draft. We'll wait to see how many Gator recruits will sign with big league clubs. Also junior closer Billy Bullock could be a very high draft choice and den Dekker could get a look as well. O'Sullivan has recruited very well, and again, depending on the MLB Draft, the future of the program looks bright.

Even though their seasons ended with bitter losses, the Gator softball and baseball teams showed themselves proud. With Tim Walton and Kevin O'Sullivan as coaches of their respective teams, look for these teams to be in the hunt for SEC and national honors most every season.