Women’s College World Series Semi-Final: Florida State vs. UCLA Recap
Game 2 Semi-Final: Florida State vs. UCLA
In the second semi-final game of the day, it was Florida State and UCLA facing off on the diamond. It was Meghan King earned the start for the Seminoles in the circle. King made quick work in the first inning and only allowing one hit. Rachel Garcia got the start for UCLA, the USA Softball Player of the Year has pitched every single inning at the WCWS so far for the Bruins. Like King, Garcia also surrendered a hit in the first inning but kept got out of it.
Kylee Perez led off the top of the third for the Bruins with a bunt single. Her sister Briana Perez also bunted and an over throw by the FSU third baseman, moved the Bruin base runners to second and third with no outs. King retired the three hitter via ground out to short. Garcia stepped up to the plate and sent the first pitch of the at bat out to the grass in left field, scoring the first run of the game. With runners on the corners, King got Bubba Nickles to roll over a pitch to third base, Jessie Warren threw home and B Perez was tagged out at the plate. A third ground out to King in the pitcher’s circle would end the half inning. 1-0 UCLA.
In the bottom of the fourth, Dani Morgan laid down a bunt single for the Seminoles. Zoe Casas followed with a single up the middle, advancing Morgan to third. With Seminole runners on second and third with no outs, Garcia took her pitching to another level and retired the next three batters in a row via strikeout.
In the bottom of the fifth, Jessie Warren led off with a single for the Seminoles. Garcia retired the next three batters with a strikeout looking, a pop up to first base, and a fly out to left.
Bubba Nickles led off the top of the sixth with a single for the Bruins. A strikeout by King and a double play would end the half inning.
The Seminoles came out swinging in the bottom of the frame. Dani Morgan blasted a ball into deep center field that was caught at the wall by the Bruin center fielder. Casas collected her second hit of the game after hitting a hard ground ball past the second baseman. With one out, Harrod was hit by a pitch to put Seminole runners on first and second. Pinch hitter Cassidy Davis hit a ground ball to second base, advancing the runners and recording the second out. Elizabeth Mason drew a 1-2 count and blasted a three-run home run over the center field wall to put the Seminoles up 3-1.
UCLA got two base runners on in the top of the seventh, with two outs, freshman Aaliyah Jordan stepping into the box. King went right at her and retired the last out of the game via pop out in foul territory to first base. With the win, the Seminoles force the if-necessary game which will be played tonight (Sunday) at 6 p.m. CT.
