The No. 5 Florida State Seminoles fell 2-1 to the No. 12 Texas Tech Raiders in Game 2 of the Super Regionals Friday afternoon. This was a win-or-go-home situation for the Seminoles after dropping Game 1 of the series 3-0.
Despite managing to keep it a close, low scoring game, Florida State was unable to keep their season alive. Texas Tech is now headed to the Women’s College World Series for the first time. It’s the first time the Noles have been swept in a Super Regional they hosted.
Hits weren’t easy to come by for Florida State, as Texas Tech pitcher Nijaree Canady was a force to be reckoned with in this game. Her dominance was on full display, as she only allowed three hits throughout the contest.
In addition to the offensive struggles, the Seminole defense was plagued by errors throughout the game. Many of which at crucial moments, allowing the Raiders to keep their offense at the plate. Over the course of the game, the Noles totaled four defensive errors, compared to Texas Tech’s zero. This was certainly what set the tone for the game, as issues on defense prevented an offensive push.
The highlight of the night for the Noles was undoubtedly an impressive snag by infielder Annie Potter. In the fourth inning, her catch forced the Red Raiders to leave three runners on base, giving the Seminoles a much needed energy boost.
While this certainly caused a serious shift in the tone of the game, Florida State found themselves unable to capitalize. Despite some major plays and even a run scored by Katie Dack in the seventh inning, the Seminoles found themselves unable to recover the deficit.
For Texas Tech, this win means everything. This was their first ever appearance in a Super Regional, and a win over a team as strong as Florida State will fuel the team as their pursuit of a championship continues. They will now head to Oklahoma City in order to continue their hunt in the Women’s College World Series.
Despite the premature end, Seminole fans can still be proud of this impressive season. FSU managed to earn their spot in their 11th Super Regional in the last 12 seasons, and were certainly a force to be reckoned with, ending the season ranked No. 5 with a 49-12 record.
Luckily for fans, Florida State is not going anywhere. Thanks to both the young talent on the team and star coach Lonni Alameda, it is easy to see that this team will remain a contender for years to come.