2015 NCAA Softball Tournament: Super Regionals Day 1 Wrap Up
The first day of the Super Regionals in 2015 NCAA Softball Tournament took place on Thursday, May 21. There were only two games between Florida State and Tennessee as well as Georgia and Michigan. Each recap can be found below.
A full schedule of the Super Regionals can be found here between Friday and Saturday.
#9 Florida State Versus #8 Tennessee Recap – Knoxville Super Regional Game 1
The Tennessee Volunteers are one win away from the 2015 Women’s College World Series after coming from behind to defeat Florida State 3-2 in walk-off fashion.
The Seminoles started the top of the second well with Ellie Cooper getting hit by a pitch and then Bailey Schinella singled to left field. A bunt by Alex Kossoff was popped up and caught by Tennessee’s Lexi Overstreet to give the Seminoles one out, but still with runners on first and second. The fourth batter of the inning was Victoria Daddis who crushed a double down the left field line to drive home Cooper. The Vols were able to limit the damage to just a run by forcing a tag out on a bunt and pop out.
In the top of the third, Jessica Warren was able to go down and hit a solo blast to right center to make it 2-0 in favor of Florida State for her 17th home run of the season. In the bottom of the third, the Vols put a runner on first after a fielding error and Overstreet hit a single to put runners on the corners, but the threat ended after a pop out.
In the bottom of the fifth, Gretchen Aucoin hit a single to left that dropped right on the line and in front of the left fielder. Scarlet McSwain then pitch hit and drew a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. The Volunteers were able to get one run across on a wild pitch that saw Aucoin cut the deficit in half.
With two outs, the bases were loaded following walk by Overstreet and Rainey Gaffin being hit by a pitch. Jessica Burroughs was able to get out of the jam by forcing an infield pop out from Meghan Gregg to leave the bases loaded and FSU holding a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Vols put runners on second and third with two outs following a passed ball. The Vols were able to tie the game on a single from Shaliyah Geathers that scored Aucoin, but Geathers was thrown out trying to get to second.
In the bottom of the seventh, Overstreet was able to draw a walk with one out before a ground out by Griffin put her on second with two outs. Meghan Gregg then came up and drilled the ball to right field as Overstreet round third and was able to score standing up.
It was a rough loss for the Seminoles as they were in command for much of the game, but that is why they play the full seven innings in close games. Tennessee did well to find a way to get to Burroughs in the late innings.
Jessica Burroughs 6 2/3 giving up three runs, six hits and four walks while striking out two Volunteers. She only allowed two hits in the first four innings before the Volunteers rallied in the final three innings.
Game two of the Knoxville Super Regional will be on Friday at 4 PM Eastern Time. If Florida State wins the second game, the third game will also be played on Friday at 7 PM Eastern Time.
#14 Georgia Versus #3 Michigan Recap – Ann Arbor Super Regional Game 1
The Michigan Wolverines used their potent offense to help them move within one game of the 2015 Women’s College World Series. Michigan won 10-3 over Georgia on Friday night.
Michigan came out in the bottom of the first and took it to Georgia. Sierra Romero drew a one out walk and she was followed by Kelly Christner who hit a two run shot to straight away center. The Wolverines loaded the bases on the next three batters before Aidan Falk drew a walk to bring home another run. Abby Ramirez was hit by a pitch to bring another run home and the Wolverines led 4-0 after the first inning.
Georgia put up a run in the top of the third. Niaja Griffin led off with a double to center field and Cortni Emanuel reached on a drop catch by Michigan’s first baseman. Sydni Emanuel then hit a sacrifice fly to make it a 4-1 game, but that is as close as the Bulldogs got in that frame.
In the bottom of the third, the Wolverines continued to put pressure on the Bulldogs. A throwing error allowed Nikki Wald to score while Romero hit a two out RBI single to score Ramirez to make it 6-1. After Romero stole second base to put runners on second and third, Christner came up again and hit a two run single to make it 8-1 for the Wolverines after three innings.
Georgia did not give up despite the seven run deficit. After Tina Iosefa was hit by a pitch, Anna Swafford hit a towering shot to straight away center that was barely out of the reach of Sierra Lawrence to make it an 8-3 game in favor of Michigan.
In the bottom of the fourth, Michigan countered with two more runs of their own. Tera Blanco doubled to center field to drive in Lindsay Montemarano while Olivia Richvalsky scored on a throwing error following a hit by Lawrence. The Wolverines led 10-3 after four innings.
Georgia threatened to close the deficit in the top of the sixth by loading the bases with two outs. With Cortni Emanuel at the plate, she swung and hit the ball foul, but her entire left foot was out of the batter’s box, which led to her being called out and ending the frame for the Bulldogs.
Kelly Christner went two for four with 4 RBI to lead the Michigan offense. Megan Betsa pitched a good game going the full seven innings giving up three runs, five hits, two walks, but striking out ten batters.
Michigan and Georgia will play at least one game on Friday starting at 6 PM Eastern Time. If a third game is necessary, the two teams will play again at 9 PM Eastern Time.