The night began with Florida State fans giving Lonni Alameda a standing ovation. It wrapped up with a celebration of a rivalry win and a program that Alameda has helped build.
Jahni Kerr hit a three-run home run and added a solo shot later in the game as the No. 10 FSU softball team, playing its first game since Alameda went public with her breast cancer diagnosis, defeated No. 2 Florida 4-0 on Wednesday evening.
"I don't know if you know what you're getting into with this sisterhood of breast cancer and survivors and people that are going through it," Alameda said. "And then you realize just how big the game is, when I say the game just sport in general, Florida State family, softball families, just the outpouring of high schools and club teams. ...
"I don't know how I'm going to move forward trying to be as thankful for everyone's support but also realize it's a really cool moment to raise up all of the people. I go to treatment with 60 people and they are getting treatment. Some people are taking taxis and I have a full posse of people supporting me."
Ashtyn Danley and Annabelle Widra combined on the four-hitter for FSU (34-5), which won its 14th straight game.
"We've talked about it for a while now, it's time for the team to take ownership of their season," Alameda said. "And I think today was a big step for that. ... I just liked the calmness, the talk in the dugout. You can tell that they're pretty comfortable with where they're at."
Danley (7-1) battled out of tough situations throughout, beginning by loading the bases with one out in the first before she struck out back-to-back hitters. She stranded runners in every inning, and departed in the fifth with a 3-0 lead after issuing a hit and a walk.
"In pressure situations just really trusting my defense and knowing that they're behind me and knowing that they're going to make a play," Danley said.
Widra shut the door, getting help from a double play where Hallie Wacaser charged in and snared the ball before firing it to second. She then pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning and a 1-2-3 seventh inning as Widra didn't allow a hit in her three innings.
Florida dropped to 33-6.
FSU got on the board early, with Isa Torres hitting a single in the second. Jaysoni Beachum's grounder up the middle was bobbled, setting up the Seminoles with runners in scoring position.
Kerr then smacked a no-doubt three-run home run to right field.
"See ball, hit ball honestly," Kerr said. "I was trying to get on top of that rise ball that I knew I was going to get."
She followed with a solo home run in the sixth.
A crowd of 1,737 packed the Seminole Softball Complex, with more fans on the berm beyond the left-field wall as well as the parking garage across the street.
"Playing at home is always so great, especially when it's packed out like that," Kerr said.
Up next
FSU plays host to Virginia on Friday at 6 p.m.
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