FSU softball's comeback falls short Against UCLA
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The No. 5 Florida State softball team (5-2) fell just short of completing one of the biggest comebacks in school history as they fell to No. 20 UCLA (3-3), 14-10, in a crazy game on Friday afternoon at the Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Fla.
The Seminoles wasted no time getting the bats going as Jahni Kerr led off the game with a double before Kalei Harding switched spots with her just two batters later to give the Noles a 1-0 lead. Freshman Jaysoni Beachum continued her terrific season with a RBI single to bring home Harding and give the Noles a 2-0 lead after the top of the first.
Ashtyn Danley got the start in the circle and worked herself out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the first by recording back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning.
The Seminole offense stalled in the next three innings, but Danley continued to contain the Bruins' lineup to keep the 2-0 lead for the Noles after three innings. UCLA was able to score four in the bottom of the fourth, but FSU immediately answered with back-to-back home runs from Michaela Edenfield and Hallie Wacaser to tie the game at four. Edenfield and Wacaser hit the first back-to-back home runs since Sydney Sherrill and Kalei Harding on May 7, 2022, against NC State. Amaya Ross stepped in the box and was hit. She immediately stole second, and Kaley Mudge singled up the middle to bring Ross home to give FSU the lead back.
UCLA responded in the bottom of the fourth with eight runs of their own. Down seven, FSU began to slowly chip away in the fifth inning as back-to-back singles from Harding and Beachum and a walk loaded the bases for the Noles. Two walks and a fielder's choice put three runs on the board with just one out. With runners on the corners, Ross stole second, and Edenfield advanced home on the throw to cut the lead to three.
Mimi Gooden came in and held UCLA scoreless in the bottom of the fifth give the Seminoles more life to complete the comeback. Three consecutive singles from Isa Torres, Harding and Beachum allowed the Noles to cut the lead to two. Devyn Flaherty was hit by a pitch, and the Noles were in prime position to tie or take the lead with the bases loaded and one out, but UCLA converted the double play to end the inning.
The Bruins added insurance with a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 14-10 lead into the final inning. FSU had one final chance with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning but were unable to convert.
Both Harding and Beachum had great days at the plate as Harding went 4-for-5 with a RBI while Beachum went 3-for-5 with two RBI.
FSU will return to the diamond tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. against No. 4 Georgia on ESPN2.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU softball drops second game of Clearwater Invitational to UCLA
