5 Things You May Have Missed in College Softball Saturday
The DI College softball teams are well into conference play all across the country. Below are five things that stood out to us at FPN, that you may have missed from Saturday play.
Florida Takes Down Alabama
The Florida softball team downed No. 15 Alabama, 6-1, to open the series Saturday, at Rhoads Stadium. Kelly Barnhill (16-1) picked up the win in the circle and limited the Crimson Tide to just one run on three hits. The win was Tim Walton’s 699th as Florida’s head coach. It also improved the Gators season record to 33-5 overall and 8-2 in SEC play. Aleshia Ocasio led the team with three RBI despite going 0-for-2 at the plate. She pushed across runs with a pair of SAC flies and on a bases loaded fielder’s choice. Hannah Adams registered a 2-for-4 performance at the plate for her eighth multi-hit game of the season. The two teams will return to the diamond on Sunday for the second game of the series.
Washington Freshman Tosses Perfect Game
Plain gets the final out for just the fourth perfect game in UW history! #GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/cBPvl32H9a
— Washington Softball (@UWSoftball) April 7, 2018
Gabbie Plain threw the fourth perfect game in Husky history and second ever by a freshman as No. Washington defeated Utah 12-0 Saturday. Plain retired all 15 batters she faced, with only two balls reaching the outfield all game. Washington is now 38-2 on the season, tying their best record ever through 40 games, set in 2000. The Husky offense was on fire on Saturday. Taylor Van Zee went 3-for-3 at the plate for the Washington offense, becoming the second Husky ever to record 60 doubles and is now the eighth player in the NCAA with 250 career hits. Washington and Utah will face off once more on Sunday to conclude the series.
Auburn Answers Back in Game Two
The No. 14 Auburn softball team defeated No. 12 Tennessee 2-0 on Saturday at Jane B. Moore Field. The shutout win is Auburn’s 20th of the season, which ties the 2017 season for the second-most in a single season in program history. The game was an outstanding pitcher’s duel between Tigers starter Makayla Martin and Tennessee’s Matty Moss. The pair allowed just three hits combined in the contest. Martin (14-3) was dominant in the circle for Auburn, tossing a complete game and striking out five in a 1-hit performance. Casey McCrackin’s fourth-inning two-run homerun was the difference maker on the offensive front. The rubber match between Auburn and Tennessee will take place on Sunday.
Texas State Remains Unbeaten in Conference Play
The Texas State softball team (28-8, 10-0 SBC) continued its dominant Sun Belt Conference play, defeating South Alabama (19-19, 5-8 SBC) in a pair of games at Bobcat Softball Stadium on Saturday. Game one was a 13 inning battle, and pitcher Randi Rupp tossed a gem for the Bobcats. The senior pitcher went the distance, pitching all 13 innings and striking out 21 of the 46 Jaguar hitters she faced. The victory improves her season record to 17-6 and inches her closer to career win No. 100. Rupp currently sits at 99 wins during her four seasons in the maroon and gold. Texas State and South Alabama will meet for the third game of the series on Sunday.
Mississippi State Splits Doubleheader with Texas A&M
After dropping game one of the series by a 3-1 final, No. 19 Mississippi State (29-10, 4-7 SEC) walked off in a 10-inning 4-3 victory over No. 9 Texas A&M (33-9, 6-5 SEC) Saturday afternoon at Nusz Park. Senior Holly Ward earned the start in game two and tossed 3.2 innings. Ward allowed two runs off five hits, recorded three strike outs, and allowed four walks. Senior Cassady Knudsen (11-4) tossed the final 5.1 innings, allowing just two hits and struck out three to secure the win. The Bulldogs and Aggies will square off in the series finale on Sunday.
