FSU softball heading to Super Regionals, Sandercock fires perfect game

FSU softball (53-9) exercised some demons Sunday afternoon in its regional elimination game.

FSU facing elimination in its home regionals for the second consecutive year, got a performance for the ages from redshirt freshman Kathryn Sandercock.

She fired a 59-pitch seven-inning perfect game in FSU’s 1-0 win over South Carolina. South Carolina had shutout FSU 4-0 in the earlier game, forcing a win-or-go-home scenario just like FSU faced last year against Mississippi State.

Many fans, including myself, questioned Coach Lonnie Alameda’s decision to start Ali DuBois in the first game instead of Sandercock or Makenna Reid.

The FSU offense didn’t do much to help things in game one.

They didn’t do too much in game two but scratched across one run in the bottom of the third inning when Josie Muffley singled and moved to second base on a ground out.

Jahni Kerr laid down a bunt (that she beat out) that forced a bad throw into right field, which allowed Muffley to score from second base.

FSU had six hits, only struck out twice, and missed some opportunities to score with some bad baserunning. Devyn Flaherty was the only FSU batter with two hits.

They struggled to get on top of the South Carolina pitcher’s rise ball and had several pop-up outs. However, Kathryn Sandercock dealt South Carolina nothing but business in all seven innings. She struck out five and threw 46 strikes on 59 total pitches. Sandercock never got to a three-ball count on any South Carolina batter!

Coach Alameda spent a lot of time looking to strengthen this team’s resolve after last season’s collapse, and it paid off in spades. The defense was superb behind Sandercock when they have been shaky at times this year.

This performance adds to the legend of Sandercock in an FSU uniform. The Noles will take on No. 14 seed Georgia next weekend, as they look to advance to the final eight teams.