Wow.
After an exciting game that saw the heavily-favored Florida State softball team down by three runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Seminoles rallied and defeated Pitt 5-4 to win their fifth-consecutive ACC Championship. Despite seemingly being down-and-out with just two outs left, the ‘Noles pulled out another come-from-behind victory, and once again claimed the ACC crown.
The first several innings of the matchup saw both teams locked in a 0-0 stalemate. ACC Pitcher of the Year Kylee Hanson started for FSU, and throughout the first five innings held the Panthers scoreless, only giving up one hit. However, Pitt broke through in the sixth inning, scoring four runs off three hits, with several errors made by a normally-stout Seminole defense. Hanson was replaced by Meghan King, who allowed no runs for the rest of the game.
Missed opportunities became the major theme for the Florida State offense early on, as they saw ten total runners stranded on the day and only scored one run on eight hits. Two-time ACC Player of the Year Jessie Warren got her first hits of the tournament against Pitt, going three-for-four with an RBI for the game, and was one of the lone bright spots for the ‘Noles offense. Pitt pitcher Kayla Harris played well for Panthers, allowing only one run through six innings. Down 1-4 with the bottom of the seventh inning coming up, it looked like another conference title looked like it was out of reach for Florida State.
Then, the ‘Noles did what they’ve done the entire ACC tournament: rally.
Harris seemed to lose her touch in the final inning, allowing the bases to be loaded with only out. Junior Cali Harrod, who had gone one-for-eight during the tournament, drove in Sydney Sherrill on a fielder’s choice to make the score 2-4. With two outs and two runners on base, Anna Shelnutt came up to bat with a chance to win the game. She proceeded to drive the ball over the left field wall and was swarmed at home plate, giving the Seminoles their fifth-straight ACC Championship.
5 IN A ROW!!!
THANK YOU @AnnaShelnutt!! pic.twitter.com/y9gNvQdfcm
— SingleShot ⚾ 🏈 (@Singleshot25) May 12, 2018
The championship win most likely locks FSU in as a national seed, and by Selection Sunday they might move into the top five. With a team that features one of the highest scoring offenses in the country and a stellar pitching staff, the Seminoles should also be favorites to make another College World Series in Oklahoma City.