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Florida coach apologizes to Auburn player after shove

FILE - In this May 31, 2015, file photo, Florida's head coach Tim Walton gestures to one of his players in the fourth inning during an NCAA Women's College World Series game against Auburn in Oklahoma City. Florida softball coach Tim Walton was involved in an altercation with Auburn shortstop Haley Fagan on Monday night, March 27, 2017, after Walton gave Fagan a slight push during postgame handshakes. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams, FIle) FILE - In this May 31, 2015, file photo, Florida's head coach Tim Walton gestures to one of his players in the fourth inning during an NCAA Women's College World Series game against Auburn in Oklahoma City. Florida softball coach Tim Walton was involved in an altercation with Auburn shortstop Haley Fagan on Monday night, March 27, 2017, after Walton gave Fagan a slight push during postgame handshakes. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams, FIle)

By Associated Press March 28, 2017 1 min read

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Florida softball coach Tim Walton has apologized for a shoving match with Auburn shortstop Haley Fagan during postgame handshakes.

The apology was posted Tuesday on the Gators’ softball Twitter account.

After the Tigers beat Florida 1-0 on Monday night, Fagan didn’t shake Walton’s hand. The coach lightly shoved her in the shoulder with his right hand. Fagan pushed Walton in the back, and the two exchanged words.

A scrum broke out around them, and a yelling Fagan and the coach were separated.

There’s history between the coach and Fagan’s sisters.

Kasey and Sami Fagan both played for Walton at Florida but were dismissed from the team in 2012. Kasey is now a graduate assistant with the Auburn softball team.