FSU Softball Defeats UCLA in Clearwater Invitational Thriller
CLEARWATER, FL – The No. 5 Florida State Seminoles defeated the No. 6 UCLA Bruins 11-7 Saturday evening at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, improving to 8-1 on the season. The game, played at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex, saw a dominant offensive performance from FSU, punctuated by multiple home runs.
UCLA took an early lead in the first inning when Megan Grant hit a home run to deep left field, giving the Bruins a 1-0 advantage. However, FSU quickly responded. Jaysoni Beachum singled to center field, scoring Isa Torres and advancing Marin Keller to second. Ashtyn Danley then doubled up the middle, driving in both Keller and Beachum, giving the Seminoles a 3-1 lead.
FSU continued to build their lead in the second inning. Isa Torres hit a two-run home run to deep right field and Jaysoni Beachum followed with another two-run homer to deep left field, extending the Seminoles’ lead to 7-1.
UCLA began to chip away at the deficit in the fourth inning. Lamar singled up the middle, scoring Alejandre, and Garcia added a sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 7-3. Phillips then doubled down the left field line, scoring Lamar, and Woolery reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Phillips, narrowing the gap to 7-5.
The Seminoles responded with more offensive firepower in the fourth and fifth innings. Marin Heller doubled to shallow left field in the third, scoring both Torres and Bueno. Beachum then homered again in the third, a two-run shot, increasing FSU’s lead to 11-7.
Bella Dimitrijevic started in the circle for FSU, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits over three innings. Jazzy Francik closed out the game, pitching the final four innings and allowing two runs on four hits and two walks, securing the victory for the Seminoles.
UCLA’s offense was led by Megan Grant, who hit a home run in the first inning. The Bruins are batting .413 as a team this season, with 28 home runs over seven games. Senior right-handed pitcher Taylor Tinsley has a 1.22 ERA over 23 innings pitched.
FSU now stands at 8-1 on the season, having previously defeated FAU 9-5 after a 3-2 loss to No. 1 Texas Tech earlier in the invitational. UCLA entered the game with a 6-1 record, having previously defeated Missouri 6-5 and lost to Oklahoma State 4-3 in eight innings. Prior to facing FSU, UCLA was scheduled to play No. 3 Tennessee at 4 p.m. On Saturday.
The Seminoles lead the all-time series against UCLA 13-9, but the Bruins had won the last two meetings between the teams, in 2023 and 2024. FSU is 21-10 all-time in the Clearwater Invitational, having won five of their last six games in the event.
