FSU Softball Advances to Fifth Straight NCAA Tournament Super Regional
By Jason Parker
FSU softball again is moving on to the next round of the NCAA Tournament following Sunday’s win over Georgia in the Tallahassee Regional.
One of the hottest teams on the campus of Florida State this year continues their roll as FSU softball did what was expected this weekend – handled business in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament and advanced for the fifth straight season to the Round of 16 for a chance to head back to the College World Series.
After making quick work of Princeton on Friday and Georgia the following day, the Lady Noles needed to win just once on Sunday against the Bulldogs to advance to the following round. Things got started rather quickly as Jessica Warren, who set the single season record for home runs, was back at it with a two run shot on the fifth pitch of the game to get FSU on the board:
After that, FSU softball was in control for the rest of the game – adding three runs in the third inning by three separate Lady Noles along with two more runs in the fourth inning – to be more than enough for starting pitcher Meghan King. The sophomore from Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquanis went six and one third innings to extend her record on the season to 27-2.
It wasn’t all without drama, as Georgia had a chance trailing 8-5 with two runners on and the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning. However, relief pitcher Jessica Burroughs was able to get the Bulldogs to ground into a double play and Florida State advanced:
The No. 4 seed nationally, FSU softball took their record to 54-6-1 on the season – extending their home winning streak to 35 games, just three shy of the all time program record. It’s the eight time in the last 16 seasons Florida State has made it to the Super Regional round, where they will host the winner of the Baton Rouge regional – one that was delayed by weather this weekend with LSU and Louisiana-Lafayette playing in a winner take all game Monday afternoon.