The Daily Nole — May 22, 2021: FSU Softball Opens NCAA Tournament with Comeback Win

It’s the weekend, Florida State fans.

As you make plans, check out our daily rundown.

Lead Story

It didn’t come easy, but Florida State softball opened the NCAA Tournament with a win on Friday. The No. 10 nationally-seeded Seminoles rallied from a fifth-inning deficit to knock off Kennesaw State, 6-2.

FSU trailed 2-0 in the fifth before putting up four runs in the inning. After Kalei Harding drove in the first run with an infield single, a pair of bases-loaded walks put FSU ahead for good.

Kaley Mudge went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored in the victory. Brea Dickey had two of the four hits for the Owls.

With the win, FSU moves on to face UCF on Saturday. The contest begins at 12 p.m. ET.

UCF held off Auburn on Friday, 5-4. Auburn and Kennesaw State will play in a Tallahassee Regional elimination game.

Between the Lines

In addition to the softball victory, FSU baseball fell at NC State on Friday night, 6-4. FSU women’s golf finished in 11th place out of 24 teams after one day at the NCAA Championships.

On the Agenda

In addition to FSU and UCF, FSU baseball wraps up a 3-game set at NC State on Saturday. The contest begins at 1 p.m. ET and streams on ACC Network Extra. FSU women’s golf resumes the NCAA Championships.

News and Notes

Former FSU shortstop Taylor Walls has been called up by Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.

FSU football offensive lineman Chaz Neal has entered the transfer portal.

Helpful Links

Fifth Quarter: 5-Year Nole Anniversary: Lueck’s Walk-Off Blast Lifts FSU Past Miami
Tomahawk Nation: Three up, three down: FSU baseball drops second straight to NC State
Warchant: Warchant TV: FSU’s Norvell tackles several topics at Tampa youth clinic

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