Gators halt Seminoles' seven-game surge with a thrilling 4-3 victory, ending FSU's impressive streak in a heated rivalry showdown.
No. 10 Florida State softball fell 4-3 to No. 8 Florida Gators on Wednesday in front of a packed house at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville.
The Gators (46-8, 16-5 SEC) split the series 1-1 with the win, snapping the Seminoles' seven-game win streak as well as the three-game win streak that FSU had against Florida.
Going into this matchup, Florida State (43-8, 18-3 ACC) had won eight of the last 10 games against its arch rival.
After a scoreless first inning the Noles loaded the bases in the second with Bella Ruggiero, Kenedy Harp and Shelby McKenzie. A Haley Griggs single scored Ruggiero, and star shortstop Isa Torres hit a sacrifice fly to score Harp. The Noles were up 2-0 after two innings.
UF came back in the third inning and had success against Noles starting pitcher Bella Dimitrijevic who gave up two runs, tying the game 2-2 after three innings.
FSU started the fourth inning strong with Ruggiero walking and Harp hitting a double. FSU left the inning without scoring and with two players stranded.
Marlee Gaskell relieved Dimitrijevic in the fourth and escaped the inning giving up only one run after having the bases loaded. The Gators were up 3-2 after four innings.
Florida State again loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning when Torres reached on an error, Jaysoni Beachum hit a single, and Ashtyn Danley reached first after being hit by a pitch. Unfortunately for the Noles they only scored one run when Anna Hinde hit a sacrifice fly, scoring All American Isa Torres. The game was tied 3-3.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth Gaskell gave up a walk and then back-to-back singles, giving Florida a 4-3 lead and the winning margin.
The Gators netted their first win at home versus Florida State since 2021.
All American Jaysoni Beachum went 1-for-3 and has reached base in 39 consecutive games, which is the fourth-longest streak in FSU history. Beachum was ranked as the No. 2 third baseman in college softball by Softball America earlier this year.
Utility player Ashtyn Danley went 2-for-3 for her 12th multi-hit game of the year.
The Noles will travel to Boston College to play the Eagles for their last regular-season series. The first game is Friday, with the first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
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