GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Caroline Stanton, who signed her athletics aid agreement with the Florida softball team on National Signing Day in November, is enrolling early and joining the Gators this semester.
Stanton, who ranked as the No. 1 recruit this signing class by Softball America, will redshirt, giving her more time to train at Florida.
“What an opportunity for the Gators,” head coach Tim Walton said.
“When Caroline painted the picture of graduating early after winning the Georgia High School Softball State Championship, her family and I agreed upon her enrolling early.
We’re looking forward to training Caroline all spring while she redshirts. Having her in the dugout, supporting her teammates, providing feedback and learning a semester early will be a great start to what we’re looking forward to in her career as a Gator.”
The right-handed pitcher won her third 6A State Championship at Buford High School in November and graduated with her high school degree in December.
“I’m so excited for the opportunity that Coach Walton and the coaching staff, my family and God have given me to become a Gator this spring,” Stanton said. “I can’t wait to be part of such an incredible program.”
She brings international experience with her to Gainesville. Stanton won a gold medal at the 2025 World Baseball Softball Confederation U-18 World Cup Finals in Oklahoma City this past October.
She tossed 17.0 innings for Team USA, recording 10 strikeouts and allowed just two earned runs for a 0.82 ERA, earning the Best Defensive Player award.
Stanton also holds the Buford single-game strikeout record with 20.
She will wear No. 1 for the Orange & Blue.
Florida opens the 2026 season vs. Illinois State on Feb. 6 at the USF-Rawlings Invitational in Tampa, Fla.
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