After a deserved day off on Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide arrived at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City needing just one win to advance to the best-of-three National Championship Series. The team standing in their way was the Florida State Seminoles.
After a two-hour and thirty-six-minute rain delay, and a tough battle with the Seminole defense, Alabama fell short of their goal, falling to Florida State 2-0.
Heading into the game, the advantage seemed to be on the side of the Tide. Alabama’s win over UCLA on Friday allowed them to have a day off on Saturday, while Florida State came into the game very weary. A long rain delay on “elimination Saturday” forced Florida State to play their final game of the day at 11:50 P.M., with the final out being recorded around 2:30 A.M..
The quick turnaround did not slow down the Seminoles, as they came into the contest focused and determined.
In a tight contest, the first run of the game came across the plate in the 5th inning. After picking up three hits in the inning off of Lexi KIlfoyl, a bases-loaded walk to Sydney Sherill gave Florida State the 1-0 lead.
The Seminoles answered again in the 6th inning with two outs. Dani Morgan reached base on a triple and was brought home on a single by Josie Muffley.
Despite picking up the loss, Kilfoyl had a successful day in the circle. She struck out nine batters and walked two while allowing seven hits.
Florida State’s Caylan Arnold and Kathryn Sandercock combined to silence the Alabama bats, allowing only two hits.
A Seminole win forces a winner-take-all game on Monday evening and 6 P.M. CT. on ESPN. An Alabama win will land them a spot in the National Championship Series with either James Madison or Oklahoma that will begin on Tuesday.