FSU softball beats Georgia to advance to Women’s College World Series

FSU softball (55-9) advanced to the Women’s College World Series by eliminating the Georgia Bulldogs 4-2 in the Super Regionals Friday night.

Mack Leonard was impressive on the mound for the Noles, going 4.1 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run. The FSU offense got things going in the top of the third inning behind back-to-back hit batters.

A fielder’s choice moved the runners to second and third base with one out. FSU got its first run on a ground ball hit to shortstop, and pinch-runner Autumn Belviy beat the throw home. She was originally out, but the call got overturned when they went to the replay.

Kalei Harding followed with a double in the left-centerfield gap to make it 3-0. Georgia got a run back in the bottom of the frame after leading off the inning with a double.

Makenna Reid relieved Leonard and struck out two batters she faced to get out of the inning.

FSU brought across an important run in the top of the sixth inning when Michaela Edenfield led off the inning with a walk. Pinch-runner Amaya Ross stole second and scored on a two-out hit from Hallie Wacaser to make it 4-1.

Georgia got a run back in the bottom of the frame from an FSU error and a single up the middle.

Kathryn Sandercock came into the game for Reid with a runner on second base and no outs. She walked the first batter and forced a pop-up, and got two strikeouts to get out of the jam.

Sandercock got into trouble in the bottom of the seventh.

The lead-off batter had a 10 pitch at bat and squeaked a single up the middle. However, a ground ball to the pitcher got the force out a second. The next batter squeaked a single between third base and the shortstop before a groundout to the third basemen moved runners to second and third with two outs. Sandercock forced a flyout to end the game.

FSU will face Oklahoma State in the Women’s College World Series next week.