College Softball World Series 2018: FSU Beats Washington to Take 1-0 Series Lead

The Florida State Seminoles have gotten used to playing from behind at the 2018 NCAA softball tournament, but they're sitting pretty after the opening game of the Women's College World Series.

Florida State picked up a 1-0 victory over the Washington Huskies on Monday night at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

Seminoles football coach Willie Taggart congratulated the team on the result:

A solo home run by catcher Anna Shelnutt in the sixth inning was the difference in the game.

FSU third baseman Jessie Warren helped preserve the one-run lead in the seventh as Washington mounted a comeback. Taryn Atlee led off the inning with a single for the Huskies, but Warren made a diving catch on a bunt attempt by Trysten Melhart. Warren then fired the ball to first base for the double play:

The significance of the web gem wasn't lost on Florida State beat writer Tim Linafelt:

Kelly Burdick reached base on a two-out single, but Meghan King induced a groundout by Taylor Van Zee to earn the victory.

King was dazzling on the mound, going the full seven innings and striking out six batters while allowing only two walks.

The junior left-hander almost lost her shutout in the third inning after Washington loaded the bases with one out. King notched back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning and keep the Huskies off the board.

Gabbie Plain nearly matched her counterpart, with Shelnutt's homer the only blemish on her night. She scattered five hits over seven innings and struck out six.

Plain also danced out of danger in the third. Morgan Klaevemann hit a leadoff single for Florida State and reached third with nobody out following a stolen base and throwing error. The Seminoles left her stranded at third after Elizabeth Mason and Warren popped out and Carsyn Gordon struck out to end the threat.

Florida State can clinch its NCAA national title Tuesday in Oklahoma City, with first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Given how slim the margins were between the Seminoles and Huskies, however, a decisive third game may be inevitable.