Base errors, home runs doom FSU softball in Game 1 of NCAA Super Regional at Oklahoma
No. 15 Florida State softball couldn't afford any mistakes.
Especially against the defending Women's College World Series champs, No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners.
On Thursday evening, FSU dropped to OU 11-3 in Game 1 of the Norman Super Regional. The game ended in a run-rule, following a walk that secured the Sooners' victory at Love's Field in Norman, Oklahoma.
With missed opportunities to score on base, the Sooners (50-6) took advantage of the Seminoles' (45-14) costly errors.
The Seminoles only recorded four hits but managed to find ways to get on base. Oklahoma's defense was not rattled.
The miscues on base led to missed opportunities for the Seminoles to make it a competitive game. Even when the Seminoles loaded the bases twice, Oklahoma's defense would follow through with two different double plays, making the Seminoles settle for less than what they would've hoped.
The Seminoles have been battle-tested all year, going through adversity such as injuries and starting five freshmen.
Head coach Lonni Alameda downplayed any pressure her Seminoles face going into the best-of-three series, noting that they must execute defensively despite being at a disadvantage.
"So I don't feel they feel the pressure of producing, and we even talked about it earlier that they just got to keep doing what they're doing," Alameda said. "And we have a very potent lineup, so you know if they can do that any inning, good things can happen."
The Seminoles, led by Devyn Flaherty, were able to tie it at two in the top third. Flaherty finished the night with two RBI following an RBI single from the senior. Jahni Kerr gave FSU's third and final run in the top of the fifth inning to extend the game for one more inning.
FSU softball's pitching defense struggled against Oklahoma
Oklahoma hit four home runs on its home field.
Half of them came from infielder Alyssa Britto, who led the Sooners with three RBI after the game. Tiare Jennings and Kinzie Hansen also homered for the Sooners.
"I mean, we have to keep them off balance, and so we'll make an adjustment tonight," Alameda said. "(That) is making sure we do a better job mixing that change-up in there."
Freshman Ashtyn Danley was the losing pitcher. In two innings, she allowed five runs, six hits and three hits. Alameda emphasized that the pitching defense must improve.
"You know, it's been a pitching defense thing all season long," Alameda said. "So I don't think that we can hang our heads by any means on the outside. Like, we've got to be able to make some adjustments.
"We'll go back and watch the tape learn try and see if we could be a little bit better tomorrow."
What's next for FSU softball?
To keep their WCWS hopes alive, the Seminoles must avoid a clean sweep by the Sooners and force it to Game 3.
FSU will return to Loves' Field on Friday at 8 p.m.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU softball struggles in Game 1 of NCAA Super Regional at Oklahoma
