Florida State shortstop Josie Muffley credits pitching, teammates as Seminoles move to 2-0 at WCWS
Florida State stifled the Washington offense en route to going 2-0 in the Women’s College World Series on Saturday, keyed by a great performance in the circle from pitcher Kathryn Sandercock. But it was a web gem defensive play form shortstop Josie Muffley that capped a 3-1 win for the Seminoles.
Leading 3-1 in the top of the seventh inning, Florida State was under pressure. Washington had two runners on with one out, the go-ahead run at the plate. Then a line drive was hit just above Muffley, who timed a leap perfectly to snag the ball and turn a game-ending double play.
“Oh my gosh, I was just going to do everything I could for my pitcher. Kat was pitching her butt off today. If that was going to be the play to end the game, then that’s what it’s going to take for this team. And we’ve been grinding it out. And that was just amazing. I kind of have no words for that right now, it’s awesome,” Muffley said on ESPN right after the game.
After holding a 2-0 lead for much of the contest, Florida State faltered some in late innings. A mental error defensively allowed Washington to score its lone run. And a base running lapse the subsequent inning cost the Seminoles a chance to build on a 3-1 lead late.
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Muffley knows she and her teammates can batten down and eliminate mistakes as the WCWS wears on.
“Just playing Seminole softball. Staying neutral. Have each others left and rights. If we can keep our triangles and just worry about the person to the left and the right, we can make those strides and just keep pushing, grinding through this,” Muffley said.
Much of the Seminoles offense was jump started by second baseman Devyn Flaherty, who scored a pair of runs and put pressure on the base paths when she got on. A double early on in the game got the offense going. And a single, stolen base and advancing and scoring on a bunt and error gave Florida State a key insurance run late.
Muffley gave her plenty of credit to Flaherty for kicking Florida State into gear.
“Just staying in it. We kind of regrouped here as a team after Devyn came out and got us going there. Just staying within us and we know Seminole softball. But yeah, Devyn getting us going and firing us up there, hitting is contagious,” Muffley said.