Stetson Upsets No. 9 Florida State in NCAA Softball Tournament Opener
In a surprising upset during the 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament’s Tallahassee Regional, Stetson University defeated the No. 9 seeded Florida State Seminoles 8-3. Stetson established early dominance with strong offensive performances, including key home runs, while Florida State struggled defensively and on the mound. This loss marks the first time Florida State has dropped an opening regional game in over a decade, forcing them into the elimination bracket. Stetson advances to the winner’s bracket, celebrating only their second postseason win in program history, while Florida State faces a must-win scenario to remain in contention for the Women's College World Series.
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UCF Knights Eliminate Florida State Seminoles to Win Tallahassee Regional
The University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights defeated the No. 9 Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles 4-2 in the winner-take-all final of the Tallahassee Regional, ending FSU's 2026 NCAA Tournament run. Although FSU won the first game of the double-header 2-1 behind strong pitching from Jazzy Francik and solo home runs by Hayley Griggs and Anna Hinde, they could not sustain momentum in the decisive second match. UCF established an early lead in the final game with a two-run homer by Beth Damon. FSU briefly tied the score at 2-2 in the fourth inning after a double by Isa Torres, but a controversial call erased a potential three-run rally earlier in the inning. UCF capitalized on a pitching change, with Izzy Mertes hitting a crucial two-run home run to secure a 4-2 advantage. Despite solid relief pitching from Ashtyn Danley and Bella Dimitrijevic, the Seminoles' offense struggled, finishing the day with a combined 8-for-45 batting performance. The victory advances UCF while sending the host Seminoles home for the season.
yahoo sportsUCF Softball Defeats Florida State to Advance to Super Regionals
The UCF Knights softball team achieved a historic victory by defeating host Florida State 4-2 in the NCAA Tallahassee Regional finals, advancing to the super regionals for the second time in school history. This win breaks UCF's previous curse in the tournament against the Seminoles, marking their first-ever tournament victory over FSU in eight attempts. Key performances included a go-ahead two-run home run by Izzy Mertes and a strong six-inning pitching effort by freshman Tori Payne, who allowed only one run. A pivotal moment occurred when UCF successfully challenged a call that initially gave Florida State the lead; video review revealed a runner left base early, resulting in an out and preserving UCF's advantage. Head coach Cindy Ball-Malone praised her team's resilience and attention to detail, specifically crediting player Taylor Kittleman for spotting the infraction. UCF, finishing the regional with a 41-17-1 record, will next face either UCLA or South Carolina in the super regionals. The victory was described as a breakthrough moment for the program, disrupting the norm and honoring past players.
yahoo sportsUCF Softball Defeats Florida State to Advance to NCAA Super Regional
The University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights softball team advanced to the NCAA Super Regional for only the second time in program history after defeating host Florida State University (FSU) 4-2 in a winner-take-all championship game at the Tallahassee Regional. Entering the tournament with a history of postseason struggles against FSU, UCF overcame an earlier 2-1 loss in the double-elimination bracket to claim the regional title. Key performances included a two-run home run by catcher Beth Damon in the first inning and another by left fielder Izzy Mertes in the fourth, which secured the lead. The victory was also marked by strategic coaching decisions, including successful challenges that erased potential FSU runs. UCF, improving their record to 41-16-1, will next face the winner of the Los Angeles Regional, either UCLA or South Carolina. FSU ended their season with a 52-10 record. UCF coach Cindy Ball-Malone praised her team's resilience and fight against a tough opponent and environment.
yahoo sportsFlorida State Softball Loses to UCF in Game 7, Misses NCAA Super Regional
Florida State University's softball team ended its postseason journey after losing to the University of Central Florida (UCF) 4-2 in a decisive Game 7 of the Tallahassee Regional final. The match, held on May 17, 2026, at the Seminole Softball Complex, saw the Seminoles force a seventh game but ultimately fall short of advancing to the NCAA Super Regional. UCF took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a home run by Beth Damon. Florida State responded with RBI singles from Anna Hinde and Isa Torres to tie the game. However, momentum shifted back to UCF following a series of overturned calls on challenges against Florida State and a subsequent home run by Izzy Mertes. This victory allows UCF to advance to the Super Regional, while Florida State suffers its earliest regional elimination since 2022. The article highlights the intense back-and-forth nature of the rivalry game and the critical moments that determined the outcome.
yahoo sportsFSU Softball vs UCF: NCAA Tallahassee Regional Final Schedule and Broadcast Info
Florida State University's softball team, the 9-seeded Seminoles with a 51-9 record, has advanced to the final of the NCAA Softball Tallahassee Regional after winning two consecutive elimination games on Saturday. They defeated Jacksonville State to keep their tournament hopes alive. In the championship match, FSU will face the UCF Knights. UCF secured their spot in the final through a dramatic comeback against Stetson in the winner's bracket final. Trailing by one run with only one out remaining in the bottom of the seventh inning, UCF's Beth Damon hit an RBI double to force extra innings. Coco Jaimes subsequently delivered the winning single, leading UCF to victory and a run-rule win over Stetson. This article serves as a guide for fans looking for broadcast information, time, and TV schedules for the decisive regional final between Florida State and UCF. The game represents a critical matchup in the NCAA tournament structure, determining which team advances from the Tallahassee regional.
yahoo sportsNo. 9 Florida State Faces Elimination After Upset Loss in NCAA Softball Tournament
This article reports on the early developments of the 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament regional round, highlighting a significant upset involving a top national seed. No. 9 seed Florida State University suffered an 8-3 defeat against Stetson University in the Tallahassee Regional, placing them at risk of elimination. The Seminoles were out-hit 12-7 and struggled defensively, allowing seven runs across the second and fourth innings. As the tournament follows a double-elimination format, Florida State must win subsequent games to avoid being cut from the bracket. The piece explains that the regional round involves 64 teams competing for spots in the super regionals and eventually the Women's College World Series. With the field set to be reduced to the final 16 teams by the end of the weekend, the article tracks national seeds in danger of exiting the tournament on May 16. It also provides context on the bracket structure, detailing how winners and losers advance through the winner's and loser's brackets to determine who reaches the regional championship games.
yahoo sportsStetson Softball Upsets No. 9 Florida State in NCAA Tournament Opener
In a stunning NCAA Tallahassee Regional opener on May 15, 2026, the Stetson Hatters defeated the ninth-ranked Florida State Seminoles 8-3 at JoAnne Graf Field. This victory marks only the second NCAA Tournament win in Stetson's history and their first against a power-conference opponent since 2024. The Hatters established an early dominance, setting a program record by scoring seven runs through the first four innings. Left fielder Amber Chumley spearheaded the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including a crucial three-run home run. Catcher Logan Forman and right fielder Gia Napoli also contributed significantly with two hits each. On the mound, sophomore pitchers Hayley Arnold and Ava Braswell effectively contained Florida State's potent lineup. Arnold started, allowing three runs over five innings, while Braswell closed the game with two shutout frames. This loss ended Florida State's streak of 13 consecutive victories in regional openers. Stetson advances to face the winner of the subsequent match between UCF and Jacksonville State, continuing their historic postseason run.
yahoo sportsStetson University Upsets Florida State in NCAA Softball Tournament
Stetson University's softball team, known as the Hatters, achieved a significant upset in the 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament by defeating the No. 9 national seed, Florida State, with an 8-3 victory. This match, held at JoAnne Graf Field in Tallahassee, marked the first upset of the postseason and only the third time in two decades that a top national seed lost their opening regional game. Stetson left fielder Amber Chumley was instrumental in the win, contributing four RBIs, including a three-run home run. This victory represents just the second postseason win in the program's history and their first since 1987 against Florida State. The article also clarifies common misconceptions about the university's location, confirming that Stetson is based in DeLand, Florida, not Texas. As the ASUN conference champion, Stetson advances to face the winner of the Jacksonville State versus Central Florida game in the next round of the Tallahassee Regional. The win keeps the Hatters in the winner's bracket, avoiding immediate elimination from the 64-team tournament.
yahoo sportsStetson Upsets Florida State Softball in NCAA Tournament Opener
In a surprising turn of events during the NCAA Tallahassee Regional opener on May 15, 2026, Stetson University defeated host Florida State University 8-3 in softball. The loss places the Seminoles on the brink of elimination, forcing them into the loser’s bracket. Stetson established early dominance with a two-run home run and added another in a three-run inning, ultimately recording 12 hits against Florida State's defense. FSU pitcher Jazzy Francik struggled, surrendering two home runs before being relieved after 5 1/3 innings with the team trailing 5-1; she recorded five strikeouts. The Seminoles managed only seven hits and committed one error during the match. As a result of this upset, Florida State must now face the loser of the UCF versus Jacksonville State game in an elimination contest scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Joanne Graf Field. This outcome marks a significant setback for the host team, which had not anticipated such an early challenge in the regional tournament.
yahoo sportsNo. 9 Florida State Softball Loses Opening NCAA Tournament Game to Stetson
In a surprising upset during the NCAA tournament, the No. 9 ranked Florida State Seminoles softball team lost their opening round game to Stetson University with a final score of 8-3. This marks the first time Florida State has dropped a game in the NCAA tournament, forcing them into the losers' bracket. Stetson took an early lead with a two-run home run in the second inning and extended it with a three-run shot in the third. Florida State responded with solo and two-run home runs from Anna Hinde and Ashtyn Danley respectively, but could not overcome the deficit. Stetson added more runs in the fourth and sixth innings to secure the victory. Florida State starter Jazzy Francik made her first postseason start, while Danley also pitched in relief. The Seminoles will now face the loser of the upcoming match between UCF and Jacksonville State in their next tournament game, aiming to stay alive in the double-elimination bracket.
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