Okay, I will admit that I only started watching the Florida State Softball Team play because I was bored. As a student at Florida State University I take immense pride in any accomplishment involving my school, particularly when it comes to FSU athletics. There is nothing like a football game at Doak Campbell Stadium, opening day at Dick Howser Stadium, or the first ACC basketball of the season at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. However, when it came to FSU softball, I was not as avid a fan.

I had plenty of opportunities to watch the Lady Seminoles play this past year. As a resident of Smith Hall last year, I was right around the corner from Joanne Graf Field, yet I did not watch a full game the entire season. The sad thing about this is that I missed one of the greatest seasons in FSU softball history, as the team posted a 55-10 record.

Fast forward to June Fourth, and I finally came to my senses. I knew that the softball team was playing in the Women’s College World Series, but I had missed the first game the Seminoles had played against the University of Georgia. FSU did not have a strong start in the World Series as they lost to the Georgia Bulldogs 5-4 in a game where the Seminoles committed seven errors, tying a record. Despite this, I was still drawn towards watching the softball team play in their next game against the UCLA Bruins. As I turned on the TV and changed the channel to ESPN, at the time I thought I was simply going to endure a dull softball game. Little did I know that I would actually be watching a team that would inspire me and fill me with pride.

The game against UCLA did not start well either as the Bruins hit a grand slam in the first inning to take a 4-0 lead. Fortunately, I had not tuned into the game yet and I began watching right when pitcher Jessica Burroughs took the mound. I clapped for her as she ran onto the field, but soon that acknowledgement turned into a standing ovation in my living room as Burroughs would pitch the remaining six-innings without giving up any runs. That standing ovation also was mixed with roars and celebratory yells as FSU came back from being 4-0 down to win 8-0, behind the bats of Alex Powers, Morgan Klaevemann, and Jessica Warren. Beating the Bruins was the kindled fire inside of me that I did not know existed. As the team sprinted onto the field after the game, I longed to be able to run out with them. The next game could not come soon enough.

The following contest against Michigan was a rematch. Both teams played each other in Tallahassee and the Wolverines won the previous two games by a combined score of 16-5. But on that Sunday, all it took was one run to turn the tide in the Noles favor. Just like in the previous game, Jessica Burroughs pitched a masterpiece. She pitched the entire way and only gave up three hits on the day against Michigan’s potent lineup. Although the ball was not flying off the bat that day, this game was more intense to me than the previous one against UCLA. Each at bat had major implications on the outcome of the game, and I found myself glued to the TV. When FSU got the final out in the seventh inning, I almost separated my shoulder after multiple fist pumps. Hearing the FSU Warchant echo in the background at the World Series gave me chills and I could not wait for the next matchup against the Auburn Tigers.

As many are now aware of, that game against the Auburn Tigers did not end so well. That semi-finals loss hurt, but the heart, the determination, and the will to win that the FSU softball team showed really touched me. Cali Harrod’s game-tying homerun in the seventh inning is a moment that I will never forget. Losing in extra-innings was hard, but the fact that FSU did not back down in the face of a really great Auburn team made me even prouder to be a Seminole.

After that run in the Women’s College World Series, I wanted more FSU softball immediately. Unfortunately, we all have to wait till next season. The good news is that Florida State softball head coach Lonni Alameda has assembled a young but talented squad, and many key players such as Powers, Burroughs, Warren, and Harrod are all returning.

Looking back, I have come a long way since those early days of passing up a chance to watch FSU softball. Come next season, you will definitely see me on opening day, and hopefully plenty of other brand new fans will be there as well.