FSU Softball Rolls Past Jacksonville State to Open NCAA Tourney

Florida State needed just five innings to start the NCAA Tournament on the right foot on Friday as the No. 6 national seed knocked off Jacksonville State, 8-0.

The Seminoles started slowly at the plate, but pitcher Kylee Hanson was unhittable from the get-go as she tossed a second no-hitter this month. The first 10 hitters and 13 of the 15 total retired by Hanson came by way of strikeout.

Florida State (48-10) finally broke through offensively in the third inning with a 2-run single off the bat of Sydney Sherrill that scored Cali Harrod and Morgan Klaevemann. FSU opened things up an inning later with six runs.

After an RBI single by Elizabeth Mason and a bases loaded walk to Cassidy Davis, Jessie Warren delivered the big blow with a 3-run double. Warren came around to score on an RBI double by Zoe Casas, which set a new team-record as the 95th of the year for the Seminoles.

The Seminoles will advance to the winner’s bracket to face Auburn on Saturday. The Tigers defeated Kennesaw State 5-2 on Friday. The Gamecocks (33-24) and Owls will square off in an elimination game.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson