For the first time in school history, the Florida State softball team is going to the finals of the Women’s College World Series. And the No. 6 seed Seminoles made it there in style, sweeping a pair of games from No. 3 UCLA on Sunday in Oklahoma City, 3-1 and 12-6.
FSU’s 12-run outburst in the nightcap, featuring four home runs, was the school’s highest scoring production in 10 trips to the WCWS. It marked the first time the Bruins had given up more than seven runs in a game all season.
The Seminoles will take on No. 5 seed Washington in the Championship Series, beginning Monday night in Oklahoma City (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
FSU was led offensively in the second game Sunday by Jessie Warren (3-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs), Sydney Sherrill (1-4, HR, 3 RBIs), Carsyn Gordon (1-3, HR, 3 RBIs) and Cali Harrod (1-4, HR)
GAME 1 SUNDAY -- FSU 3, UCLA 1
The Florida State softball team certainly has a flair for the dramatic. More importantly, they're still alive in the NCAA postseason.
After winning two straight elimination games to advance to the final four of the Women's College World Series, the No. 6 seed Seminoles knocked off No. 3 seed UCLA on Sunday afternoon, 3-1, to set up a rematch later that night.
Sunday's victory came against the same UCLA team that sent the Seminoles into the losers' bracket earlier in the tournament.
The teams will play again in Oklahoma City on Sunday night, with the winner advancing to face Washington in the Championship Series.
FSU trailed 1-0 for most of Sunday's game, but the 'Noles claimed the lead with a three-run homer by Elizabeth Mason in the sixth. The heroics came just one day after Mason drove in two runs to help FSU knock off Oregon on Saturday night.
UCLA had won 99 straight games with a lead after five innings.
While it took awhile for Florida State's offense to get on track against Bruins star pitcher Rachel Garcia, FSU junior Meghan King was busy keeping UCLA's offense in check. She scattered seven hits while allowing just one run with 10 strikeouts and two walks.
The Seminoles and Bruins will play again at 7 p.m. ET for a spot in the finals.
