Florida State softball is uncharted territory, as they drop their first game in the NCAA tournament. They will now fall into the losers bracket, and face either UCF or Jacksonville State.
Lineup
- SS – Isa Torres (JR)
- 3B – Jaysoni Beachum (JR)
- LF – Ashtyn Danley (JR)
- C – Anna Hinde (FR)
- RF – Bella Ruggiero (R FR)
- CF – Kennedy Harp (JR)
- DP – Shelby McKenzie (SO)
- 1B – Hayley Griggs (FR)
- 2B – Makenna Sturgis (FR)
- RHP – Jazzy Francik (SO)
Recap
1st Inning
Jazzy Francik got her 24th start of the year, and her first in the post season this year. In her outing, she shut down Stetson in order, including two strikeouts.
Facing the Hatters Hayley Arnold, the Seminoles were also retired in order.
2nd Inning
Stetson came out swinging in the top of the next inning. Following a lead off
single, a 2 run shot put the Hatters out in front. With the bases cleared and no outs, Francik got back to back strikeouts and a pop up to limit any more baserunners.
Waisting no time in the bottom the inning, Anna Hinde took her first pitch for a solo shot. The ‘Noles had a pair of baserunners, but ran themselves out of the inning, now a 2-1 ballgame.
3rd Inning
After having a lead off hit by pitch, a hard hit single had runners on the corners for Stetson. A strikeout and heads up defense had two outs on the board. However, still with two baserunners on, a three run shot broke things open for Stetson.
After giving up two more baserunners, Ashtyn Danley came on in relief. Needing one pitch, Danley sent her defense back to offense to crack into the four run deficit.
Arnold had two outs to begin her outing, and a single from Jaysoni Beachum gave FSU a baserunner. Looking for a few runs, Danley helped herself out with a 2 run shot to make it 5-3.
4th Inning
An error had a one out runner for Stetson, followed by a single. A ground out moved the runners into scoring position, and a hit up the middle scored the pair to extend their lead to 7-3.
Besides a lead off single and two out walk, Arnold limited the Seminoles chances as they clung onto to four run lead.
6th Inning
Danley gave up a lead off single in the 6th, ending her day in the circle. Out of the bullpen, Bella Dimitrijevic got the first out before putting the second runner on via hit by pitch. A fly out moved a runner to third, and a bloop single made it 8-3 in favor of Stetson.
Ava Braswell came on in the 6th, relieving Arnold. Besides a double from Hayley Griggs, the ‘Noles could not get action on the bases.
7th Inning
Dimitrijevic only had one runner on a single, giving the bats back to the Seminole offense. Needing five runs to tie the game, and the top of the lineup starting the inning, Isa Torres collected her first hit of the day. One out later, Danley joined her after a walk. With two on base, Braswell got the next two outs to secure the upset win and head into the winners bracket, with a 8-3 final score.
Remaining Tournament Schedule
Game 2 – 2:30 PM: UCF vs. Jacksonville State (ESPN+)
Saturday
• Game 3 – 12:00 PM: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
• Game 4 – 2:30 PM: FSU vs. Loser of Game 2
• Game 5 – 5:00 PM: Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
Sunday
• Game 6 – 12:00 PM: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
• Game 7 (if necessary) – 2:30 PM: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
