Facing elimination and a large early deficit, Florida State dominated the final six inning on Saturday to eliminate 11-time national champion UCLA and picks up its first Women’s College World Series win in 12 years, 8-4.
Things couldn’t have started much worse for eighth-seeded FSU as Mysha Sataraka’s first inning grand slam gave UCLA a 4-0 lead before Florida State starting pitcher Meghan King could even record an out. King allowed four runs on five hits and a walk before being replaced by ACC Pitcher of the Year Jessica Burroughs with two outs in the bottom of the 1st.
The Seminoles were able to cut the UCLA lead in half in the top of the 2nd. After Alex Powers’ second home run in as many games — a solo shot — made it 4-1, Morgan Klaevemann walked with the bases loaded later in the inning for the first of her game-high four RBIs.
FSU went ahead for good with three runs in the top of the 3rd. Jessica Warren’s second home run of the Women’s College World Series made it 4-3 before two runs scored on a groundball off the bat of shortstop Cali Harrod. Powers was safe on the throw home and catcher Sydney Broderick came around to score after Harrod was caught in a run-down.
The Seminoles added two more in the fifth on a 2-run single up the middle by Klaevemann. Klaevemann plated one more run with a bunt single in the seventh that scored Carsyn Gordon.
Burroughs picked up the win for FSU by allowing just two hits in 6 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Burroughs worked out of a second bases loaded situation for UCLA in the first. From there on, the Bruins didn’t have a single runner advance into scoring position.
Powers finished 4-for-4 in the victory with a pair of runs scored. Klaevemann, Warren and Broderick each had two hits for FSU.
The Seminoles will play again at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday against the loser of Saturday night’s game between Oklahoma and Michigan. UCLA, the No. 12 national seed, finishes the year with a record of 40-16-1.
Maury Neipris/FSU athletics
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