FSU softball: Noles drop hard fought game against No. 2 UCLA

FSU softball (8-2) was rolling through the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational on their way to a third consecutive win over a ranked opponent before giving away a win against No. 2 UCLA Saturday afternoon.

The Noles led 2-0 going into the top of the sixth inning. Mack Leonard got the start on the mound and went four innings of one-hit ball, striking out one without issuing a walk. It was a nice rebound performance after allowing back-to-back home runs against Arkansas Friday.

Allison Royalty relieved Emma Wilson after she allowed a double. Royalty walked the first batter she faced but got out of the jam unscathed. Makenna Reid entered the game in the top of the sixth. She allowed two bloop hits to the first two batters faced but struck out the next batter before allowing a walk to load the bases with one out.

Reid had a 1-2 count on the batter, but she fouled off some pitches before laying off pitches outside of the zone to draw the walk. FSU ace pitcher Kathryn Sandercock came in relief and forced a popup for the second out. The next batter drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 2-1.

However, the next batter hit a bases-clearing double to make it a 4-2 game.
FSU threatened in the bottom half of the frame. They worked two walks and a single to load the bases with one out. After a pinch hitter struck out, Josie Muffley came through with a clutch two-out single to score two runs and tie the game at 4-4.

UCLA came right back in the top of the seventh with a single and a double to put runners on second and third with one out off Sandercock. The next batter took an 0-2 pitch for a single to score both runners to make it 6-4 to knock Sandercock out of the game.

Madi Balk entered the game and walked the first batter she faced before making an error on the next hitter to load the bases. She struck out the next batter and forced a ground out to get out of the jam.

The FSU offense only mustered six hits but took advantage of two UCLA miscues to get their two runs across. Kayley Mudge had two hits, including a double and an RBI. Bethaney Keen had a double and scored a run. Josie Muffley had two hits and three RBI.

UCLA pitcher Megan Faraimo shut down the Noles once she entered the game until the Noles fought back in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game. She went 5.2 innings, allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out nine.

FSU failing to take advantage of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the first was a big factor in the game. It’s a game FSU should have won, but the margins are small against elite teams. FSU showed a lot of guts to fight back in the bottom of the sixth.  They’l return to action Sunday against Louisiana and Alabama.