OKLAHOMA CITY – Florida used early offense to get the win in the final game of Thursday’s opening day at the 2009 Women’s College World Series, defeating Arizona by a 3-0 margin.

The Gators (61-3) advance in the winners bracket and will face Michigan at approximately 8 pm on Friday evening. Arizona (44-15) falls to the losers bracket and will face Alabama in an elimination game on Saturday at approximately 1 pm CDT.

Florida’s offense started quickly with a leadoff walk from Aja Paculba, followed by an outless fielders choice off the bat of Kristina Hilberth. Paculba was erased as part of a double play, but Hilberth would come around to score on a home run from Francesca Enea to give the Gators a 2-0 lead.

A leadoff home run in the second from Megan Bush extended the Florida lead to three runs, which was more than enough offense behind Stacey Nelson.

Nelson improved to 40-3 on the season, striking out 12 and walking three while allowing just two hits, both in the first inning.

Arizona starting pitcher Lindsey Sisk took the loss, falling to 12-5 on the season. She pitched the first inning and faced one batter in the second before being relieved by Sarah Akamine. Akimene tossed a three-hit shutout from that point, striking out seven with no walks.