FSU softball takes game one of the Women's College World Series Finals

(6) Florida State (57-12) defeats (5) Washington (52-9) 1-0 to take a one game lead in the Women's College World Series best of three final series.

Game Recap

Due to being the higher seed Washington was designated as the home team. Washington sent freshman Gabbie Plain to the circle while FSU countered with redshirt junior Meghan King.

Washington's Sis Bates committed an uncharacteristic error on a Sydney Sherrill infield hit but Plain was able to pitch around it to retire the Noles in the first inning. King retired the Huskies in order in the bottom of the inning.

In the second Plain retired FSU in order with two strikeouts and a flyout. King sandwiched a walk between three other outs to end the inning.

Morgan Klaevemann started the third inning with a single down the left field line. She promptly stole second and freshman catcher Emma Helm threw the ball into right centerfield allowing Klaevemann to scamper to third. Plain beared down from there and got two straight popouts followed by a strikeout to end the inning. Trysten Melhart started the inning for UW with an infield hit. Kelly Burdick sacrificed her to second. Taylor Van Zee singled up the middle and Melhart went to third with one out. After Van Zee stole second Sis Bates loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch. King came back and struck out the next two batters and FSU got out of the inning unscathed.

In the fourth Anna Shelnutt worked a one out walk. Deja Bush pinch ran for her and stole second. Dani Morgan walked to give FSU runners on first and second with one out. After Zoe Casas flied out Cali Harrod walked the bases loaded. Klaevemann hit a ball to Bates at short and she tagged out Morgan for the third out as she ran in front of her trying to get to third. King gave up a walk to Helm but but then got a foul out and a strikeout to end the inning.

Warren hit a one out double in the fifth off of a ball that was at her shoelaces. Carsyn Gordon grounded to short but Warren moved to third. Plain got a foul out to strand her at third. Burdick started the inning with a single up the middle and stole second. Bates sacrificed her to third but King got a groundout to end the inning.

"Playoff Anna" Shelnutt started the inning by blasting a 3-1 pitch over the left centerfield wall for the first run of the game. Morgan followed with a single through the right side. After a Casas groundout Morgan stole second. With her sixth steal Morgan sets a WCWS record. Harrod then lined into a double play to end the inning. King kept dealing getting the Huskies out 1-2-3.

After two strikeouts Warren doubled down the left field line. Plain ended the threat by striking out Gordon. Taryn Atlee started the last of the seventh with a single up the middle. Melhart tried to bunt her over but the ball went into the air and Warren made an incredible diving catch and then doubled up Atlee from her knees. Look for this play on the Top 10 plays tonight. King ended the game when she got Van Zee to bounce out to her for the last out.

Meghan King (25-6) has turned into a cross between Kat Osterman and Jennie Finch since she got off the bus in Oklahoma City. She continued her hot streak in this game going 7 full innings giving up five hits, no runs, with 6 strikeouts and only two walks. She lowered her ERA from 1.22 to 1.13 with the shutout. Gabbie Plain (22-5) pitched very well but took the hard luck loss.

Anna Shelnutt was 1-2 with the only RBI on her massive homerun. Jessie Warren continues to rake as she was 2-4 with two doubles.

This game went about as well as possible for FSU. King went the whole distance so Kylee Hanson will be fresh for tomorrow. The Noles played error-free softball. And oh yeah, they got the win.

Florida State will face Washington in game two tomorrow night at 8pm (ESPN). The probable starters will be Kylee Hanson for FSU (30-6, 1.33 ERA) vs Taran Alvelo for UW (23-4, 1.10 ERA).

Florida State will be crowned national champions with a win.