FSU softball wastes opportunities in rubbermatch against Oklahoma St.

FSU softball (21-5) wasted multiple opportunities to put No. 3 Oklahoma State away in their rubber match Sunday afternoon.

The Noles led 1-0 going into the bottom of the sixth, but the lead should have been larger. FSU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out as Mack Leonard came to the plate.

Leonard and Katie Dack struck out to strand a major scoring opportunity. The Noles threatened in the top of the third with runners on 1st and second with one out. Michaela Edenfield grounded out, which moved the runners to second and third with two outs, but Mack Leonard couldn’t cash in on the two-out opportunity.

FSU threatened again at the top of the fifth. FSU had runners on 1st and second with one out, and Kalei Harding hit a line drive to center field that turned into a double play as Kaley Mudge got doubled off to end the inning.

Oklahoma State plated all three of their runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 3-1 lead into the top of the seventh. FSU led off the inning with back-to-back singles and sacrificed bunt to move the runners to second and third with one out.

Kaley Mudge singled to center field to trim the lead to 3-2 with runners on first and third. However, Devyn Flaherty and Kalei Harding could drive in the tying run as they popped out and grounded out to end the game.

Kathryn Sandercock took the loss, allowing five hits in 2.1 innings. She allowed a number of hits with two strikes and can’t seem to put hitters away when she’s far ahead in the count.

However, Oklahoma State is a high-powered offense and FSU only had one hit going into the final inning. FSU batters got on base via six walks and one hit until then. That’s not going to get it done against the elite teams in the nation.

FSU didn’t play well and had a chance to win the series on the road against the No. 3 team in the nation. They’ll take on No. 1 Oklahoma Tuesday night in a chance to make a statement.