It is day one of the Tallahassee Regional of the NCAA softball tournament as Florida State begins its road to Oklahoma City. The Ninth-seeded Seminoles are looking to return to the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2023.
The Seminoles will start the big dance against Stetson, the ASUN champs. The first pitch is set at noon and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
If victorious, FSU will move on to the winning bracket, where it plays the winner of the UCF-Jacksonville State game on Saturday, while Stetson will move to the elimination bracket to face the loser of the second game.
Follow the live blog for scores, updates and highlights.
FSU vs. Stetson, Tallahassee Regional A
Ashtyn Danley homers to cut Stetson’s lead to 5-3 in bottom 3rd
FSU responded again to Stetson’s homer to its home run. Ashtyn Danley blasted one for a two-run score for the junior and Jaysoni Beachum to cut Stetson’s lead to two runs.
FSU trails 5-3 in the bottom third with with two outs remaining. Anna Hinde is on base following a walk.
Stetson hits second homer to put FSU in a deep hole
Stetson added three more runs on a three-run homer by Amber Chumley. FSU now trails 5-1. Francik was relieved by Ashtyn Danley to get the last out to end the inning.
FSU softball responds with an Anna Hinde solo
FSU answered back with a solo home run by freshman Anna Hinde in her NCAA tournament debut to cut Stetson’s lead to one in the bottom second.
Kennedy Harp followed up with a double, but no runs afterward. The inning ended with Stetson up 2-1.
Stetson takes early 2-0 lead after homer
Stetson drew first blood. The Hatters showed their power at the plate as Logan Forman hit a two-run blast in the top of the second. Jazzy Francik recovered with back-to-back strikeouts.
FSU softball’s starting lineup
Holland’s NCAA tournament predictions
I expect Florida State to win the Tallahassee Regional and advance to the Super Regional. However, I am uncertain about what happens next, when the Seminoles would most likely travel to Los Angeles to face UCLA.
The last time the two teams met, FSU came out victorious at the Clearwater Invitational. However, the Bruins are a better team now than they were in February, and the Seminoles have largely played on their home field. The last time the Noles went out west, they were swept by Stanford.
FSU would have to beat UCLA twice to punch its ticket to the Women’s College World Series. The Seminoles could make a strong push and force a third game, but that may be where the run ends.If UCLA is eliminated, however, all bets are off.
FSU is capable of reaching the Women’s College World Series, but it must prove it can win in a different time zone. The Seminoles could come up just short.
Tallahassee Regional schedule
Double elimination from Friday-Sunday (May 15-17) at JoAnne Graf Field at Seminole Softball Complex:
Friday’s games
Saturday’s games
Sunday’s games
Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5, noon
*Game 7: Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6, 2:30 p.m.
* If necessary
Where to watch NCAA softball Regionals
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU softball vs. Stetson NCAA tournament: Live scores, updates
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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