Lonni Alameda praises Kathryn Sandercock for overcoming adversity after lengthy weather delay

As Florida State pitcher Kathryn Sandercock was getting ready to start Thursday’s game against Oklahoma State, the weather turned. It delayed first pitch more than an hour, and Mother Nature again stepped in during the third inning, forcing an hour and 46-minute delay.

Still, she came back out strong as FSU built on its lead — and she got some high praise from her head coach.

“She’s doing a great job,” Seminoles coach Lonni Alameda told ESPN2’s Holly Rowe during the fourth inning. “I think that goes to her being a veteran. She’s been in these situations a lot. We all chose an outdoor sport, so we’ve got to deal with the weather at times. I think after you get a full season under your belt, you know what this is like. Something about us and Oklahoma State and late-night games, you know?”

Sandercock looked strong through the first four innings, striking out four and allowing just two hits in that time. In the meantime, FSU took a 3-0 lead into the fourth inning when the offense exploded for four runs — including a three-run home run for Kaley Mudge — to extend the advantage to 7-0.

But Sandercock’s dominance has helped the Seminoles get to the Women’s College World Series. She entered the game with a 26-3 record and a 1.10 ERA, which ranked second on the team to Makenna Reid. Alameda said Sandercock started looking the part toward the end of the regular season and she carried that momentum into the regular season.

In fact, that’s been part of the plan all year. Alameda said she wanted Sandercock to be at her peak in time for the WCWS, which is why she’s only started 23 of her 44 appearances this season. That strategy appeared to work as she was dealing against Oklahoma State.

“It’s been, really the last month or so, she’s really stepped into her role,” Alameda said. “I know we talked about trying to manage her all season so she could be the best at this point in the season if we were lucky enough to get here. Really proud of her ability to stay in a routine. But she’s also very smart.

“I trust that she can shake pitches and do what she wants to do because she knows how she wants to try to beat hitters. That’s something she’s got trust in her ability to do that, which is pretty cool.”