May 19, 2001
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Led by a stellar performance on the mound by junior
Leslie Malerich, No. 1-seeded Florida State defeated No. 4-seeded Florida,
6-2, Friday night in the NCAA Softball Regional at the Seminole Softball
Complex. The Seminoles improved to 56-10 while the Gators end their season
with a 37-28 record. FSU will face No. 2-seeded California at 3:30 p.m. on
Saturday. The winner of that game will advance to the championship game on
Sunday.
Malerich, who improved to 24-3, had a no-hitter going into the seventh
inning but the Gators put together two hits in the final inning and scored
two runs. For the game, Malerich allowed one earned run, recorded two walks
and struck out six batters.
"Overall, I felt better on the mound today than I did yesterday," said
Malerich. "I went into the game strong and I wasn't thinking about
anything else. I just wanted to start the game mentally strong."
The Seminoles broke open the game with a five-run third inning. Senior
Natalie Bennett led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
With one out, Serita Brooks drew a walk. With runners on first and second,
junior Kimmy Carter singled down the left field line, scoring Bennett.
Freshman Jessica van der Linden followed with a shot up the middle, scoring
Brooks. Senior Robyn Gauger belted a double into left center to clear the
bases. She would go on to score FSU's fifth run of the inning on a
sacrifice fly by junior Monique Marier.
"They (FSU) came out and we expected a great game," said Florida head coach
Karen Johns. "They (Seminoles) got some key hits when they needed them.
Robyn Gauger is a great hitter. She got the big hit like she usually does."
FSU picked up another run in the seventh when senior Staci Brandon hit a
double to left center, scoring Bennett, who reached on a fielder's choice.
In the bottom of the seventh, Florida's Emily Marino's single down the left
field line drove in sophomore Amanda Judd, who reached on a fielder's
choice. Sophomore Bree Berger drove in the Gators' second run when she hit
into a double play.
"It was a well-played game, but we were able to jump on them in the third
inning and that was the difference," said FSU head coach Dr. JoAnne Graf.
"We were able to get ahead of their pitcher who was throwing a lot of balls.
I think the third inning deflated them.
"Any time you play Florida, it's a battle and they are a great team. They
had a great season and they don't ever quit. We knew it would be a battle
all seven innings."
