FSU softball's winning streak snaps after loss to rival Florida Gators despite late comeback

The streak has come to an end.

The Florida-Florida State rivalry gave a sneak peek of what the postseason could look like for Florida State softball (40-11).

Yet, despite a dramatic comeback late in the game, the Seminoles fell 15-13 to the Gators (40-12) in nine innings Wednesday at JoAnne Graf Field before a crowd of 1,698.

The teams combined for 26 hits (13 each) and the marathon showdown took nearly four hours (3 hours, 45 minutes) to complete. Trailing 13-7 in the seventh, FSU scored six runs to tie the game and force extra innings. But UF scored two runs in the ninth inning for the victory.

It was the Gators' first win at FSU since 2019 and snapped the Seminoles' six-game win streak over UF.

FSU also had won 22 of its last 23 games and was on a 14-game winning streak, the second-longest winning streak in the country.

In the last meeting, the Seminoles emerged victorious in Gators' territory behind a 12-run inning.

On Wednesday night, it was different.

While it looked as if the Gators were going to run away with a road win, the Seminoles found a way to gather enough runs to overcome a seven-run deficit.

The Seminoles slowly crept their way with unearned runs until Kalei Harding hit a three-run homer to tie the game and go to extra innings.

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While the Seminoles pushed the game to the ninth inning, a home run by UF's Kendra Falby and a walk by Reagan Walsh gave the Gators two runs. Falby would then clinch the Gators' victory with a double play to send Jaysoni Beachum out on first base.

Errors, miscues, pitch defense led to struggles early

The Seminoles weren't quite in sync early in the first two innings. The Gators took advantage of FSU's mistakes with two unearned runs and a pair of RBI singles from UF's infielder Reagan Walsh and outfielder Kendra Falby.

The Seminoles had three errors the whole game, and two resulted in unearned runs for the Gators.

FSU coach Lonnie Alameda had to rely on her bullpen after starting pitcher Allison Royalty allowed four runs and three hits, and no strikeouts.

"It's not really a pitching issue," Alameda said. "I think today was the pitching defense deal. I don't think we were too clean. I think we could've outed so many innings, but we just misplayed a few balls."

Ashtyn Danley, who led FSU with three strikeouts, relieved Royalty for 2.1 innings until Emma Wilson took over for 0.1 innings.

Freshman pitcher Mimi Gooden outlasted the rest of the pitching staff with 81 total pitches and 4.1 innings. As the loss went to Gooden, she finished the night with two strikeouts and allowed five hits and five earned runs.

"We were just trying different things with her today because, as we know, going into the postseason, we ought to be able to bring different pitches and different parts of the zone," Alameda said. "Some were successful and some weren't, but we're going to grow in this situation."

Three Noles hit homers, but so were the Gators

Both teams were hitting homers, which would change the game's momentum.

After trailing 2-0, Jaysoni Beachum tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. It was the freshman's 15th home run of the season.

Jahni Kerr also hit a two-run homer, allowing the Seminoles to trail only 11-6 in the bottom six. This was the beginning of FSU's comeback.

Harding was the top hitter for the Noles as she led with two home runs. One was solo to midfield in the bottom third, and then a three-run homer that would tie the game at 13 and eventually would go to extra innings.

Unfortunately, the Gators were hitting well just as well. The Gators finished the night tying with the Seminoles with 13 hits.

While the game was tight in the first three innings, the Gators took control in the fourth and fifth innings with seven runs, including a two-run homer by Jocelyn Erickson.

As FSU was only four runs behind, Korbee Otis extended the Gators' lead with a two-run homer. With the game tied at 13th in the top nine, Falby hit a solo home run for the Gators to regain the lead.

"I don't think we played a clean game in the beginning," Alameda said after the game. "I knew we had the offense. They didn't put their heads down.

"They got after it, so it was pretty cool to give yourself a chance to have tying runs at the plate."

What's next for the Seminoles

FSU will be traveling for the next two weeks.

The Seminoles will be at Syracuse this weekend for a three-game series in their season finale.

A sweep against the Orangemen will clinch the ACC regular season title for the Seminoles. Then, the Seminoles will head straight to Durham (N.C.) for the ACC Tournament, which is set for next Wednesday, May 8.

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Late comeback not enough for FSU softball to beat No. 9 Florida Gators