‘Selfless’ FSU softball team looks to advance to WCWS championship series – Tallahassee Democrat
Florida State’s approach and attitude have been on display nationally in the Women’s College World Series. What the Seminole may lack in individual star power has been overshadowed by the team’s stellar collective effort.
“It’s clear that this team is selfless and has confidence in each other,” said former FSU catcher and Lincoln star BillieAnne Gay, a starter on the 2004 FSU team that advanced to the WCWS.
“You can tell by watching them leave it all on the field. … Their focus and pride are rooted in the team, not individual success. They collectively love winning more than they fear losing, and that’s just the mindset of a champion.”
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FSU has been traveling a familiar path in the WCWS heading into Monday’s elimination game against Alabama in Oklahoma City.
The winner advances into the best-of-three championship series that is scheduled to start Tuesday against the winner in the opposite bracket between Oklahoma and James Madison.
In 2018, the Seminoles dropped their first game to UCLA but went on to win their next six games to win the national championship.
FSU became just the third team to lose its first game of the tournament and roar back through the losers bracket to win the title, joining Texas A&M (1983) and UCLA (2003).
On Sunday – less than 24 hours after winning an elimination game over Oklahoma State that ended at 2:36 a.m. – FSU beat Alabama 2-0 to snap the Crimson Tide’s 20-game win streak and force a second game against Alabama. The Seminoles again displayed their perseverance as Sunday afternoon’s game was delayed 2 hours and 26 minutes when played was stopped in the bottom of the first inning due to inclement weather.
The Seminoles have won their last seven consecutive WCWS elimination games to set a tourney record. With its win over Oklahoma State, FSU had tied the mark of six set by UCLA. The Bruins won four straight in 2003 and their next two elimination games in 2006.
“This team is scrappy,” said former FSU pitcher and Chiles star Sarah Hamilton.
“You can see it all the way down to the base running. I think the girls who’ve been there (for the 2018 win) have really shown great leadership. They’re fighters. They’ve had a tough road (playing well after midnight) but they’re making it look fun and easy.”
FSU has been scratching for every win in the WCWS with timely hitting, superb defense and outstanding pitching.
After dropping their WCWS opener 4-0 to UCLA, the Seminoles have ripped off wins over No. 11 Arizona (4-3), No. 5 Oklahoma State (4-2) and No. 3 Alabama. They have outscored (10-9) opponents but have been out-hit (22-21).
Former FSU coach JoAnne Graf, who led the Seminoles to back-to-back AIAW (now NCAA) national titles in slow pitch in 1981 and 1982, points to the team’s leadership and ability to perform under pressure.
“They are clearly taking advantage of other teams’ mistakes – our base running has been exceptional,” Graf said.
“Players have been aggressive. If the other team makes a mistake, we are taking extra bases and turning extra bases into runs. It as been phenomenal. It goes back to their attitude, playing each day, playing hard and for each other, and not putting pressure on themselves.”
In Sunday’s win over Alabama, FSU snapped a scoreless tie in the fifth inning when Sydney Sherrill drew a bases-loaded walk. In the sixth inning, the Seminoles made it 2-0 as Dani Morgan hit a two-out triple and Josie Muffley smacked a single to right field
Morgan who went 2-for-3 and scored both of the FSU’s runs.
Caylan Arnold started and pitched 4.2 innings. She allowed just two hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Kathryn Sandercock (27-3) tossed 2.1 innings of relief.
“You can see the passion and drive in each of these young athletes,” said former FSU pitcher Casey Hunter Garrett, who went 33-4 with 14 shutouts in 2004 and resides in Illinois.
“The players and coaches have overcome many challenges in the last two seasons that no one has experienced and have executed the goals they have set. Every day is a new challenge with the late games to the early COVID test, and they continue to succeed and drive in to their goals.”
Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.
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