Thousands of softball fans lined up along the fences to watch Florida State hold off Florida for a 3-2 win in an exhibition between the two powerhouse programs at the Rising Stars Showcase in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday.



Florida State jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Morgan Klaevemann led off with a walk and quickly stole second.


Pictured: Morgan Klaevemann slides into shortstop Sophia Reynoso (Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)

Jessica Warren struck out on a rise ball way out of the zone. Senior Alex Powers fouled off several pitches before crushing a RBI double that one hopped the fence to left center. Powers later scored on a wild pitch that got passed catcher Janell Wheaton. The Seminoles went up 2-0 in the first.


Pictured: Alex Powers strokes a RBI double to left center (Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)

After the first innings, both offenses struggled against opposing pitchers. Last season, Florida had the lowest ERA (.93) in the country, but it Florida State that advanced to the WCWS with a staff ERA of 2.23.

Tessa Daniels came in for Davis in the fourth. Davis was hitless limiting the Gators to eight ground outs.  

Delanie Gourley came in for Barnhill in the bottom of the fifth. Barnhill had five strikeouts, giving up one earned and one unearned run to the Noles.


Pictured: Kelly Barnhill (Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)

After a hit-by-pitch and two walks, senior Sydney Broderick came up clutch for the Noles with runners on first and second, lining a double into left to score one run.

The Gators surged in the sixth inning when sophomore Amanda Lorenz got the first hit for Florida, beating out an infield single. Burroughs walked Nicole Dewitt putting runners on first and second with no outs bringing up Kayli Kvistad.


Pictured: Carsyn Gordon dives to get the out but Amanda Lorenz beats her to first. (Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)

Kvistad hit a hard ground ball up the middle to score Lorenz and Dewitt advanced to third. With runners on first and third, Janell Wheaton grounded to shortstop Cali Harrod and the Noles turned a 6-4-3 double play to clear the bases. Dewitt scored on the ground ball, and the Gators pulled within one run (3-2).

In the bottom of the seventh, sophomore pitcher Meghan King came in to close and shut down the Gators for a 3-2 win for the Seminoles.

Despite a rocky start, Gourley ended the game with seven strikeouts in three innings pitched.