FSU softball mixes pitchers but Oklahoma proves too tough in Supers
Florida State did more than mix pitches. The Seminoles mixed pitchers.
The strategy worked far better than in a game 1 loss to Oklahoma. But the Sooners still proved too powerful at the plate.
Kasidi Pickering hit a two-run homer and Oklahoma also scored a run on a wild pitch as well as another earlier in the night with the benefit of a wild pitch and a passed ball in a 4-2 win over FSU on Friday night in the Super Regionals.
"Really proud of our team," FSU coach Lonni Alameda said. "I think it’s been a long journey this season. And we were banged up and beat up. We fought. I thought we gave Oklahoma a good run today. Very good Oklahoma team.
"I think we had a different mentality coming out today. I think we were a little bit nervous yesterday, just kind of feeling out what this meant for some of the freshmen. Maybe made the moment a little bigger than it was. And then they settled down today."
FSU (46-16) battled the OU lineup far better, mixing in Ashtyn Danley, Makenna Reid and Mimi Gooden. Danley tossed two innings and re-entered later in the game.
Reid pitched two innings, entering the circle for the first time in a month. She allowed just one run, which was not earned and threw 35 pitches (18 strikes).
Danley pitched 3.1 combined innings, giving up four hits and five walks but allowing just one earned runs. The freshman left-hander battled in the pressure cooker, a combination of a tough OU lineup and the 4,200 fans at Love's Field.
Gooden (5-2) allowed two earned runs on three hits in 1.2 innings. Alameda said the plan was to give OU different looks from the circle and for the first time outlined Reid's injury.
"Kenny was on a pitch count," Alameda said. "Kind of a pain tolerance count. She’s dealing with some stress fractures in her back. So now it’s time to get her healthy and rested for next season. And very grateful she gave us what she had. My hope was two innings and around the 50-pitch mark. I think she gave us what she had, which was awesome."
Jaysoni Beachum and Kalei Harding had solo home runs for FSU.
Beachum was robbed of a home run in the fifth when she launched a ball toward the wall at the deepest part of Love’s Field, only to have center fielder Jayda Coleman leap and grab it. For Coleman it may have seen like yet another play but it was shades of yet another leaping grab to steal an opportunity from the Seminoles, similar to what she did in the 2023 WCWS.
Now, it’s the Sooners who will make the short trip to Oklahoma City and the WCWS.
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