Winter Haven, FL – On Friday, May 16th, former star athletes from the 2005 Lake Wales Little League World Series championship team gathered at Grove Roots Brewing Co. to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their historic title win. Among the attendees was one of Polk County’s most accomplished athletes—Hannah Rodgers—whose softball journey from Lake Wales to Gainesville reshaped the landscape of women’s college softball in Florida.
Rodgers was the ace of that 2005 Little League team, helping Lake Wales become the first Polk County team to win a Little League World Series. But it was a decision she made just a few years later that may have had the most lasting impact—not just on her career, but on the University of Florida’s softball program and its rivalry with Florida State.
Originally committed to play at Florida State University, Rodgers decommitted when the University of Florida made an offer. Choosing to wear orange and blue instead of garnet and gold, Rodgers went on to have one of the most decorated careers in Gators softball history.
Her presence was felt immediately. As a freshman, Rodgers helped lead Florida to the 2010 Women’s College World Series, earning All-American honors. Over the next few years, she became the face of Florida softball. By 2014, Rodgers delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances in WCWS history, going 7-0 with a 0.64 ERA, and helping the Gators defeat Alabama for their first-ever national championship. She was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
Her success helped elevate the Gators into a national powerhouse. Since Rodgers’ arrival, Florida has consistently ranked among the top softball programs in the nation. Her legacy as a four-time All-American and 2014 SEC Female Athlete of the Year not only brought championships to Gainesville, but also gave Florida an edge in recruiting elite players across the country.
Meanwhile, Florida State continued to field strong teams. The Seminoles made deep postseason runs throughout the 2010s and eventually won their own national title in 2018, proving their place among college softball’s elite. But it’s fair to ask: would that milestone have come sooner if Rodgers had stuck with FSU?
Even today, the decision resonates. Rodgers’ choice to switch schools arguably shifted momentum in the Gators’ favor during a pivotal time for women’s softball in the state. The Gators’ dominance in the early 2010s helped solidify their brand and build a winning culture that continues to attract top-tier talent.
After college, Rodgers went on to pitch professionally for the USSSA Pride, before retiring in 2017. Today, she’s a mother of two and gives private pitching lessons to young players, passing along the skills—and wisdom—that made her a legend on the mound.
From the mound in Lake Wales to the national stage in Oklahoma City, Hannah Rodgers’ journey didn’t just rewrite her own story—it may have rewritten the rivalry between two of Florida’s top programs. And in doing so, she became a key figure in the evolution of women’s college softball in the Sunshine State.
