ASU started strong and finished poorly Saturday night as the host Florida Gators won 8-0 in five innings in the opening game of the NCAA Super Regional softball series in Gainesville, Fla.

The Devils and Gators will meet again Sunday, time to be announced, in the best of three series.

Katelyn Boyd opened the game for ASU with a double. Leslie Rogers followed with a single, but Boyd was called out for interference, and that killed the rally. Gator pitcher Stephanie Brombacher settled down after that, allowing just two more hits — a double to Mandy Urfer and a single to Krista Donnenwirth —  the rest of the way.

Hillary Bach kept the Devils in the game until the bottom of the fifth. Florida led 2-0 when Michelle Moultire led off the inning with a triple. Bach walked Aja Paculba. Kelsey Bruder doubled to score both runners.

Sam Parlich relieved and gave up two home runs as the Gators won by run rule.