Florida State batted around in a lengthy second inning, producing five runs on three hits and helped by a UCF error. On what was supposed to be an early start, and could have been a long night, the Seminoles earned a decisive win. And some rest.
Kalei Harding hit a rocket off the left-field wall for a two-run double and the Seminoles added a pair of runs on a wild pitch in a 5-1 win over UCF on Saturday afternoon.
A pair of freshman, Mimi Gooden and Ashtyn Danley, combined to allow just one run on four hits. Gooden (5-1) had 11 groundouts in four innings, adding a strikeout. Danley allowed just one hit in 2.2 shutout innings.
"Super proud," FSU coach Lonni Alameda said of Gooden. "Been working really hard to be in those moments and she trusted it today, which is awesome."
FSU (45-14) now can take a break and rest up for the championship game on Sunday at 6 p.m. (TV is TBA). And it will be a long night for the Seminoles' opponents in the Tallahassee Regional.
Play was set to begin on Saturday at 1 p.m., but rain forced FSU-UCF to begin at 5:05 p.m. Auburn defeated Chattanooga in an elimination game, with Auburn and UCF facing off in a game that began Saturday night at 10:30 p.m.
FSU won't have to worry about any of that. The Seminoles received a strong start from Gooden, who tossed four shutout innings before running into trouble in the fifth. Sierra Humphreys had an RBI double to put UCF on the board 5-1, but reliever Danley got two more outs to end the threat. Danley was lights out the rest of the way, and now FSU is into the regional title game for an 11th straight season.
Makenna Reid update
Left-hander Makenna Reid was seen warming up in the bullpen late in Saturday's game. She did not pitch and wasn't needed as Danley had the game under control, but it's a positive development as Reid hasn't pitched since April 21 at Boston College.
"She's a day-by-day kind of scenario," Alameda said. "Like I said earlier we've kind of put some Band-aids in that bullpen a little bit and tried to get some people through. And they're giving us all they have. Makenna is definitely in the bullpen getting after it to give her all she has."
Hats off to FSU's grounds crew
Alameda opened remarks postgame by thanking the FSU facilities staff and softball grounds crew, which was diligent in their efforts to dry out the infield for Saturday's games.
"Really thankful for our grounds crew and facilities and everyone to get the field ready today," Alameda said. "I know it was challenging with the weather."
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