The 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament is off to a blazing start, and we've already witnessed our first major upset. In a stunning turn of events, the Stetson Hatters stormed into Tallahassee and knocked off No. 9 overall seed Florida State 8-3 on Friday afternoon, shaking up the bracket and sending shockwaves through the college softball world.
The Seminoles, fresh off claiming the ACC championship this season, now find themselves on the brink of elimination—just one loss away from an early exit. This marks a historic moment, as Florida State becomes only the third national seed since the NCAA began seeding teams in 2005 to lose its regional home opener by four or more runs. That exclusive club now includes the 2009 Northwestern Wildcats and the 2012 UCLA Bruins, though the Seminoles certainly didn't want to join that list.
For Florida State, this loss carries extra weight. It's the first time since 2009 that the Seminoles have dropped their regional home opener, and only the third time this season they've surrendered eight or more runs in a defeat. The last time Stetson beat Florida State in softball? You'd have to rewind all the way back to 1987. The Hatters entered Friday with a 1-18 all-time record against the Seminoles, making this victory even more remarkable.
Stetson's win is also just the second NCAA Tournament victory in program history, with the last coming in 2014 against UCF. Ironically, the Hatters might face the Knights again on Saturday in the winners' bracket, as they'll take on the victor of the second game in Tallahassee between UCF and Jacksonville State. Meanwhile, Florida State will face the loser of that matchup in a do-or-die elimination game.
The Hatters' offense was the story of the day, striking early and often. In the second inning, Logan Forman launched a two-run homer over the left-field fence to open the scoring. The Hatters piled on in the third when Amber Chumley crushed a three-run blast over the right-field wall. On that same play, Irianis Garcia set the Stetson single-season program record for runs scored, crossing home plate for the 54th time this season.
Annabella McClerren kept the momentum rolling in the fourth inning, lacing a single on a 2-2 pitch to drive in two more runs. Chumley wasn't done yet, either, adding another RBI with a single into shallow left field in the sixth inning. Remarkably, Stetson's offensive explosion came without much production from ASUN Player of the Year Nicole Edmiaston, who ranks 12th nationally with a .465 batting average. She went just 1-for-5 at the plate on Friday.
Perhaps the most impressive stat of the day? Stetson's pitching staff didn't strike out a single Florida State batter, yet still managed to hold the ACC champs to just three runs. It's a testament to the Hatters' grit, timely hitting, and ability to make plays when it mattered most.
For fans of the game, this is exactly the kind of March Madness-style drama that makes the NCAA Softball Tournament so thrilling. And for Stetson, this win is a statement that they're not just happy to be here—they're here to compete.