FSU vs. Tennessee softball live score, updates, highlights from 2023 Women’s College World Series semifinal

By | June 5, 2023
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There is either one (or two) more games remaining to determine who will play Oklahoma in the final series of the 2023 Women’s College World Series. 

In one dugout we have the Tennessee Lady Volunteers (51-9), who need two wins to set up a rematch against Oklahoma. The Lady Vols have already faced the Sooners, a team that handed them their first postseason loss — a 9-0 mercy rule demolition that saw Tennessee muster only one hit. They rebounded on Sunday behind ace Ashley Rogers and escaped with a win, taking down Oklahoma State.

In the other dugout is a Florida State Seminoles (57-9) group that knocked off Washington, 3-1, on Saturday night with a web gem double play from Josie Muffley to end the game. They have jumped out to a 2-0 start in the Women’s College World Series, which is why they have the advantage heading into tonight’s contest.

If the Lady Vols manage to steal Game 1, then there will be another game 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first matchup. That contest would then determine which team advances.

However, the ‘Noles have only dropped one game in their last 24, illustrating the uphill battle for Rocky Top.

MORE: Watch Florida State vs. Tennessee softball live on Fubo (free trial)

The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from the FSU vs. Tennessee Women’s College World Series semifinal game. Follow below for highlights as the action unfolds from USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.

FSU vs. Tennessee softball score

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F
FSU 0 1 1 0 — — — —
Tennessee 1 0 0 — — — — —

FSU vs. Tennessee softball live updates, highlights

(All times Eastern)

Bottom of fourth inning: FSU 2, Tennessee 1

8:19 p.m. — A 1-2-3 inning for Pickens keeps this game at 2-1. It’s getting late early for the Vols, can they muster up some offense in the fourth?

8:17 p.m. — Hard hit contact from Edenfield again but Milloy runs it down in center to record the first out of the inning. 

8:16 p.m. — Pickens returns to the circle for the fourth inning, meaning we now have a freshman pitcher running the show for each side. 

Top of fourth inning: FSU 2, Tennessee 1

8:11 p.m. — Four illegal pitches in the inning for Reid, but a strikeout strands the runners with no change on the scoreboard. A missed opportunity for the Lady Vols and some miracle work from Reid. 

8:08 p.m. — Reid’s footwork is becoming a problem. The third illegal pitch of the inning sees a base hit into center field, putting runners on the corners with two gone with Reid clearly rattled. 

8:05 p.m. — Another illegal pitch from Reid gets FSU a warning from the umpires because she’s not keeping her left heel on the rubber. It’ll be something to monitor now from the freshman, whether she can adjust. 

8:04 p.m. — Reid gets Puni right away, so nothing comes of that incident. 

8:02 p.m. — Reid fans Puni, but an illegal pitch brings her back into the box.

8:01 p.m. — The lefty Reid gets Milloy to strike out to begin her night. Now she’ll try her luck at Puni, who already put one in the seats tonight. 

7:59 p.m. — Makenna Reid gets the ball to begin the second time through the Vols order. The bullpen keeps warming for FSU, but it’s the freshman Reid’s game for the time being. 

Bottom of third inning: FSU 2, Tennessee 1

7:55 p.m. — Pickens strikes out Jahni Kerr and then gets Kalei Harding to ground out — stranding Mudge at third to limit the damage. 

7:54 p.m. — The freshman comes in and Mudge takes advantage, swiping third on the first pitch from Pickens. FSU is threatening to tack on another run now. 

7:53 p.m. — And that is the end of the road for Gottshall. Karlyn Pickens will take over in the circle for Tennessee. She comes in with a runner on second and one out. 

7:51 p.m. — Gottshall is getting picked on here in the third inning as Mudge puts one just inside the line for an easy double. The hard contact might mean a quick hook is coming soon for the Lady Vols starter in a must-win game. 

7:48 p.m. — That was Keen’s first home run since May 2021 and her first as a Seminole — and quite the time for it. 

7:46 p.m. — GOODBYE SOFTBALL! The first home run of the year for Bethaney Keen is a rocket to right center field to give Florida State the lead! The eighth place hitter gets the job done with a loud beginning to the third inning. 

Top of third inning: FSU 1, Tennessee 1

7:41 p.m. — Leonard walks another, but is able to navigate out of the inning — a quiet one at the plate for Tennessee. 

7:36 p.m. — Leonard returns to the circle for FSU to start the bottom half of the second. Can she settle in after a rocky first?

Bottom of second inning: FSU 1, Tennessee 1

7:33 p.m. — Gottshall bounces back to retire the next three batters, but the damage is done. We’ll see whether that trip to Area 51 haunts the Lady Vols as the action progresses. 

7:28 p.m. — And just like that, THIS BALL GAME IS TIED! The Lady Vols lead vanishes just as quickly as it appears, after Michaela Edenfield launches a no-doubter to left-center field. 

Top of second inning: FSU 0, Tennessee 1

7:23 p.m. — Leonard limits the damage to only one run. Gottshall is staked to the early lead, but if Tennessee’s bats continue to make noise, it’ll be a long night for FSU.

7:20 p.m. — Following the blast, a walk and another hard hit ball against Leonard gets the FSU bullpen cranking early in the first inning. The ‘Noles have the luxury of having to win only one game to advance, but they are making sure it doesn’t get out of hand. 

7:17 p.m. — IT’S OUT OF HERE! Just like that, more hard contact against Leonard and Zaida Puni puts one in the seats. It’s 1-0 Lady Vols.

7:15 p.m. — Kiki Milloy laces one that was seemingly destined to find the outfield, but FSU’s shortstop Josie Muffley is having none of that with yet another web gem. Hard contact off Leonard might spell doom against this Tennessee lineup though. Something to watch. 

7:14 p.m. — Mack Leonard is now taking the mound for FSU. It’s only her fourth start since March.

Bottom of first inning: FSU 0, Tennessee 0

7:12 p.m. — Gottshall is dealing in the first inning, setting down the ‘Noles 1-2-3 with relative ease. Nice start for the senior in a must-win game. 

7:07 p.m. — And we’re off in Oklahoma City. Gottshall makes quick work of the leadoff hitter, Kaley Mudge, to get things started.

Top of first inning: FSU 0, Tennessee 0

7:05 p.m. — Only one commercial break separates FSU and Tennessee from getting started, which means ESPN had one more chance to get you hyped up. Take a look. 

6:52 p.m. — Starting lineups are out with the action starting just moments from now. The Lady Vols start Payton Gottshall, who hasn’t pitched since Thursday — a win for Tennessee. FSU counters with Mack Leonard in the circle, a senior that pitched 4.1 innings against Georgia on May 26 — a 4-2 win for the ‘Noles.

6:45 p.m. — We are only 15 minutes away from first pitch, which means there is still plenty of time to enjoy some of the pregame content from both teams. 

How to watch FSU vs. Tennessee in NCAA softball semifinal

  • Start time: 7 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo

The action between Florida State and Tennessee gets started at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. For those without cable, you can catch the game on ESPN+ or Fubo, which comes with a free trial for new subscribers. 

Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, Jessica Mendoza and Holly Rowe will have the call for ESPN from Oklahoma City. 

MORE: NCAA softball mercy rule, explained

Women’s College World Series schedule 2023

Monday, June 5

Matchup Time (ET) TV channel
No. 1 Oklahoma 4, No. 9 Stanford 2 (9 inn.) Noon ESPN, Fubo
Game 13: No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 4 Tennessee 7 p.m. ESPN, Fubo
Game 14 (if necessary): Florida State vs. Tennessee 9:30 p.m. ESPN, Fubo

Wednesday, June 7

Matchup Time (ET) TV channel
WCWS finals Game 1 8 p.m. ESPN, Fubo

Thursday, June 8

Matchup Time (ET) TV channel
WCWS finals Game 2 7:30 p.m. ESPN, Fubo

Friday, June 9

Matchup Time (ET) TV channel
WCWS finals Game 3 (if necessary) 8 p.m. ESPN, Fubo

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