FSU softball advances to regional final of NCAA Tournament after victory over UCF
On day two of the Tallahassee Regional, Florida State softball continues to stay on the winning side after defeating UCF 5-1 on Saturday in the double-elimination round of the NCAA Softball Tournament.
The Seminoles put the Knights in a deep hole in the top second with five runs off three hits and an error. FSU loaded the bases three times.
Kalei Harding led the way with an RBI double that resulted in a two-run score. FSU added two more on a wild pitch.
A sac-fly by Amaya Ross gave the Noles its fifth run. The Golden Knights' starting pitcher, Kaitlyn Felton, lasted 1.2 innings before relying on its bullpen.
"That was a huge inning for us," Harding said after the game. "We've been trying to preach on big innings. Trying to get everything started by getting on, getting them over, getting in and obviously, we knew before that UCF is really good team, packing on runs going to be the thing for us today."
In her NCAA Tournament debut, freshman pitcher Mimi Gooden lasted 4.1 innings and shut out UCF in four straight innings, allowing three hits and one run before being relieved by another freshman pitcher, Ashtyn Danley. FSU secured the victory in the bottom seven after a 1-6-3 double play.
"I'm very proud of her (Gooden) and Ash, both, but I think it doesn't come ... this senior class doesn't make them uncomfortable for where they are at," FSU coach Lonni Alameda said. "I think it's a cool, growing moment to be at this moment together. So yeah, I'm very proud."
FSU will Auburn in the regional final, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. (initially 1 p.m.). Auburn is coming off a 2-1 win in the nightcap of the double-elimination game.
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 beats UCF to move on to regional final of NCAA Tournament
