FSU softball on losing end of defensive battle as Oklahoma sweeps NCAA Super Regional

The Women's College World Series rematch has led to the same result for Florida State softball.

Oklahoma's 4-2 win over FSU on Friday secured a sweep and the Sooners will make another WCWS appearance on their quest for a four-peat.

Both teams exchanged defensive jabs as the game remained low-scoring all night.

The Seminoles battled to extend the Super Regional series with its defensive adjustments, but it was not enough to get the job done.

FSU softball coach Lonni Alameda changed her lineup, moving juniors Jahni Kerr to center field and Kalei Harding to right field.

Freshman Ashtyn Danley made a second straight start on the mound, and sophomore pitcher Makenna Reid became the designated player.

"I thought we got ourselves a chance. Which is good. But, yeah, we were injured a bit in the circle," Alameda said after the game.

"And obviously, we've got some players injured like anyone at this point in the season. So, I'm just proud that they stayed in mode after it. Good for a fun run here for Oklahoma."

Oklahoma made more defensive plays than Florida State

Thursday night, it was all Oklahoma's offense that defeated FSU.

This time, however, the Sooners' defense put away the Seminoles.

The biggest defensive play of the night was OU's centerfielder Jayda Coleman's leaping catch that robbed freshman Jaysoni Beachum's second home run of the night.

Other notable defensive plays came from OU first basemen Cydney Sanders' diving catch on a pop-up fly in foul-ball territory during the sixth inning that ended in a 1-2-3.

FSU had chances of scoring runs when loading up the bases but couldn't deliver enough runs when needed. The Seminoles had one more shot in the final inning, but all three batters grounded out.

FSU softball sophomore pitcher Makenna Reid makes her return to circle

FSU pitcher Makenna Reid made her return to the circle after missing a month of softball.

Alameda confirmed that Reid had been battling a back injury and has monitored her pitch counts.

"She gave us what she had." Alameda said. "So, my hope was two innings and around the 50-pitch mark. So, I think she gave us what she had. Which is awesome."

Reid returned to the circle in the second inning. Her first game back was a 1-2-3 inning. Reid started 30 games and went 22-8. The sophomore also threw 75 strikeouts this season.

Reid lasted two innings, allowing one hit and one run, and threw one strikeout.

The future can't get any brighter for the young Seminoles softball team

Alameda's senior class played their last ball game at Love's Field.

However, this is only the beginning of the freshmen class.

Beachum, Danley, Isa Torres Kennedy Harp, and Mimi Gooden have played important roles for the Seminoles. It was shaky at first, but they eventually pulled it together. Four of the five freshmen made the ACC All-Freshman team and gained experience playing at a high level in the postseason.

"This environment is where we want to be. We want to be playing teams like this," Alameda said. "And so for them to be here and see that measuring stick of what we need to work to is going to be huge and that's going to pay dividends for us in September when we come back."

Beachum is a top-three finalist for TUCCI/NFCA Division I Freshman of the Year after leading FSU with 16th home runs and breaking the freshman RBI record. Beachum hit a solo home run in the third inning that would tie the game at one.

Other notable key returnees include catcher Michaela Edenfield, Kerr and Amaya Ross. Alameda will need to replace Harding, Kaley Mudge, Allison Royalty and Devyn Flaherty.

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 swept by Oklahoma at 2024 NCAA Tournament Super Regional