OKLAHOMA CITY — The Florida State softball team is taking a different path this time.
The Seminoles lost their Women’s College World Series opener in 2018, then won six straight games to win the national title. They lost their WCWS opener again in 2021, then rallied to reach the best-of-three championship series.
This time, they have won their first two games in Oklahoma City, and one more victory will put them back in the title round.
Kathryn Sandercock was strong in relief as Florida State held on to beat Washington 3-1 on Saturday night and clinch a spot in the WCWS semifinals.
Sandercock allowed one run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings to earn the pitching win, and now the Seminoles, the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, are in what coach Lonni Alameda jokingly called “uncharted territory.” It’s a good spot because Sandercock, a second-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, now has time to rest.