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The (#13) LSU Tigers (47-20) win the Tallahassee Super Regional against the (#4) Florida State Seminoles (55-8-1) with a 6-4 victory today at JoAnne Graf Field in Tallahassee.
In the previous two games of this series Florida State and LSU combined for only five runs but they doubled that output in this rubber game. Allie Walljasper started for the Tigers against Jessica Burroughs for FSU. Seminole skipper Lonni Alameda shook things up for this game by starting Korina Rosario in right and moving Carsyn Gordon to first base. Alex Powers moved from first to be the DP and Anna Shelnutt was taken out of the lineup.
Game Recap
Alex Powers got the first hit of the game with a double in the first inning but she was stranded as the first inning ended with no runs for either team. In the second inning the Noles played well behind Burroughs as they got a nice 5-4-3 double play (Jessie Warren to Ellie Cooper to Carsyn Gordon) to get out of the inning. Cali Harrod started the inning with a single for the Noles but she was stranded at second.
In the third LSU took a 2-0 lead as Sahvanna Jaquish had a clutch two out double to plate Claire Weinberger and Aliyah Andrews. FSU answered with a run after Warren singled and Powers doubled her home. LSU now led 2-1.
In the fourth LSU broke the game open with three runs. Shemiah Sanchez started it off with a double. Burroughs got the next two batters with a ground out and a strikeout. However, Sanchez moved to third on a wild pitch and Burroughs walked Amber Serrett. LSU now had runners on the corners with two outs. Alameda brought in Meghan King to relieve Burroughs. Andrews reached on a high hopper infield single to third without a throw and the bases were loaded. Emily Griggs hit a grounder to third that Warren couldn’t handle and Sanchez scored. Jaquish came up and doubled to center to score Serrett and Andrews. King ended the inning by striking out Bailey Landry but LSU scored three on four hits to take a 5-1 lead.
FSU answered as Cali Harrod doubled down the left field line. After a Dani Morgan foul out Rosario singled to left scoring Harrod. Rosario advanced to second on the throw home. Morgan Klaevemann moved Rosario to third with a ground out and Warren was intentionally walked. Ellie Cooper singled to left and scored Rosario. Tiger manager Beth Torino replaced Walljasper with game one starter Carley Hoover. After a wild pitch Hoover was able to get Powers to pop up to end the threat. FSU was now down 5-3.
Both teams went down in order in the fifth.
In the sixth LSU went down 1-2-3. Dani Morgan started FSU off with a double that reached the left centerfield wall. Rosario walked and Klaevemann walked on four straight pitches to load the bases with nobody out. Warren hit a grounder to third and Morgan was forced out at home. Cooper flied out to right but it was deep enough to score Rosario who tagged. Powers then grounded out to Hoover to end the inning. FSU cut the lead to 5-4.
In the seventh, Emily Griggs flied out to Morgan. Jaquish then worked a walk. Landry then tripled home Nicky Dawson who was running for Jaquish. LSU ended the inning with a popup and a foul out but they lengthened their lead to 6-4. Sydney Broderick started the inning for the Noles with a single down the left field line. Leslie Farris ran for her and went to second on a wild pitch. Carsyn Gordon singled to center advancing Farris to third but Gordon was thrown out at second trying to stretch the single into a double. After that two fly outs from Harrod and Morgan ended the game.
Post Game
Carley Hoover (15-7) got the win for LSU pitching 3 1⁄3 innings giving up one run on three hits with two walks and a strikeout. Allie Walljasper pitched 3 2⁄3 giving up three runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Jessica Burroughs (27-5) took the loss for the Noles pitching 3 2⁄3 innings giving up four runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Meghan King pitched 3 1⁄3 giving up two runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Korina Rosario scored twice for FSU and had an RBI. Alex Powers went 2-4 with a double and a RBI while Ellie Cooper had two RBI. Cali Harrod went 2-4 with a double and scored a run.
The season ends in disappointing fashion for the ACC champs but it was still very successful. The Noles were in the top 4 of the polls all season and were at #1 from Feb 21st to April 15.
Salutes go out to seniors Alex Powers, Ellie Cooper, Jessica Burroughs, Lauren Harris and Sydney Broderick. They left the program better than they found it. They also leave the program in good hands. FSU will be the heavy favorite again in the ACC and will challenge for another WCWS appearance next year.