In front of 'unbelievable' crowd, FSU softball sweeps Georgia to earn trip to WCWS

It has been five years since it was that loud, that rowdy, and felt that good for Florida State softball at JoAnne Graf Field.

The No. 3 national seed Seminoles are advancing to to the Women's College World Series for the 12th time in program history and fifth time under coach Lonni Alameda (with all five since 2014) following Friday's 4-2 win over No. 14 Georgia.

FSU swept the Bulldogs in the NCAA Super Regional, winning Thursday's opener 8-1. The Seminoles in the WCWS are paired with Oklahoma State, which swept Oregon in its Super Regional.

It was the Seminoles' first Super Regional series win at home since they advanced and captured the Women’s College World Series Championship title in 2018.

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The vibe, of course, was much different a year ago for the Seminoles.

It was an experience that Alameda actually embraces and doesn't mind discussing as Mississippi State eliminated No. 2 nationally-ranked FSU in the Seminoles' home regional.

"I want to talk about Mississippi State as long as we can because it means we're still playing and people are asking questions about it," Alameda said. "We've had some really tough conversations individually and as a team, to be in these moments, to take some deep breaths and execute a pitch or hit a change-up. It takes trust.

"We've grown up as humans because of what happened last year."

FSU's offense gives the Seminoles an early lift

FSU struck first in Friday's game, scoring three runs in the top of the third inning. Kalei Harding delivered a clutch two-out, two-run double in the frame. After Georgia answered with a run in the bottom of the inning.

"I had to look at my runners and were looking eye-to-eye and nodding. We were thinking that we just had to getit done and jump ahead," Harding said of her at-bat. "Even if I had to ground it out on the right side. It also took me three years to sit a changeup. I was just trying to stick to my plan and try to see if it worked.

"Luckily it did fall in my favor.”

Hallie Wacaser added an RBI single in the sixth for FSU to make it 4-1.

FSU starter Mack Leonard tossed 4.1 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and striking out four. Makenna Reid closed out the fifth inning before she ran into trouble in the sixth as Georgia cut the deficit to 4-2.

Kat Sandercock, who started in Thursday's victory, entered with two runners on base and no outs.

That's when the drama started.

A walk loaded the bases.

Sandercock then dug in. She recorded a weak pop up and two swinging strikeouts to end the threat as the crowd erupted in thunderous appreciation.

Georgia wasn't done, however, and Bulldogs coach Tony Baldwin was proud of his team's fight.

"Honestly, we came out a little timid on the offensive side," Baldwin said. "But I’m super proud of the answerback. We gave up the runs there in the third and came right back and scored and then put a zero back on the board. Playing good softball, that’s what we talk about. They score in the sixth we come right back and score in the seventh and give ourselves an opportunity at then.

"At the end of the day, that’s all you can really ask."

Georgia had runners on second and third, and the winning run at the plate with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. With the crowd standing and cheering, Sandercock forced a fly out to left fielder Kaley Mudge near the foul line to end the game.

FSU players charged the field in celebration and many in the jubilant crowd lifted their phones to record the moment.

"I'm so grateful I got to finish my last home game out there on the field. The vibes were great," Sandercock said.

"The dugout was so much fun. We were in it, and it was just an awesome game through in and out. There was nowhere I rather be than on the bench that game because it was so much fun, and then glad to get in the game. It’s pretty nice to finish out my last home game on the field.”

Hometown fans help fuel Florida State softball to the WCWS

Alameda and players were quick to credit the support of the home fans. Both games were sold out as more than 4,000 fans filed into JoAnne Graf Field.

Of course, that didn't account for the fans who set their chairs up outside of the outfield wall at 7 a.m. Or those who watched from the Spirit Way parking garage across the street and behind the left-field wall.

It was the kind of noise and support the Seminoles haven't experienced since they last hosted a Super Regional in 2018.

Leonard said the 'K time" chant motivated her in the circle.

"The 'K Time' chant got really loud tonight (Friday). When that happened for the first time tonight I had to take another breath and that's what we practice and execute all the time," Leonard said. "I think that without all that help with our mental performance, it goes a long way and it showed even more tonight."

"I wouldn't say the noise was bad. It was more like this is our home, this is where we want to compete, and this is what we want to be doing in front of a crowd like this. If anything it helps us for Oklahoma City."

Sydney Sherrill leads the cheers at JoAnne Graf Field

One of the most active fans Friday night was former star player Sydney Sherrill. She walked down lower into the bowl seating to hype up fans in the game. She even got up on the backstop and held onto the net to the crowd's enjoyment.

"[Sherrill] definitely did make a difference," Leonard said. "She is phenomenal. I love her."

Even Baldwin pointed out how the Super Regional's game atmosphere can impact young players.

"It's an unbelievable college softball atmosphere," Baldwin said.

"We brought a great crowd and they were into it. Florida State's crowd was unbelievable. It's what little girls can aspire to get to and play at. I tell our team all the time how lucky we are to be passionate about something that can fill you with such joy and pain at the same time."

The 2023 Women's College World Series starts Thursday, June 1 and runs through Friday, June 9, if necessary, in Oklahoma City.

Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State softball advances to NCAA Women's College World Series