(4) Florida State (52-8) will attempt to advance to the NCAA tournament Super Regionals when they face South Carolina (38-18) in Tallahassee on Sunday. The game is scheduled for 12 noon (ESPN).
Florida State advanced to this game by defeating Bethune-Cookman 8-0 in five innings and then beating South Florida 12-1 yesterday in five innings with a record setting display of home run power. South Carolina began the tournament by losing to South Florida 3-2. However, the Gamecocks bounced back nicely yesterday defeating Bethune-Cookman 10-0 in five innings. Later in the day they got revenge on USF beating the Bulls 2-1 in a tense 10 inning pitching duel.
Florida State will send their ace senior Meghan King (29-5, 1.34 ERA) to the circle. South Carolina will likely counter with either Dixie Raley (12-5) who pitched 10 innings against South Florida yesterday or Cayla Drotar (12-8) who pitched five innings against Bethune-Cookman yesterday. I expect head coach Beverly Smith will choose Raley but we will see. In any case, whoever gets the start will likely be subject to a quick hook especially if FSU gets off to one of its patented quick starts.
If South Carolina wins the two teams will play a second game for all the marbles 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. If Florida State wins the Tallahassee Regional will be over and the Seminoles will move on to the Super Regional. The winner of the Tallahassee Regional will face the No. 13 Oklahoma State Cowgirls who won the Stillwater Regional. If FSU advances the Super Regional will be held in Tallahassee.