OKLAHOMA CITY -- Kalei Harding homered and drove in four runs, leading Florida State past No. 1 seed Oklahoma 8-4 in the opener of the Women's College World Series championship Tuesday night.
Sydney Sherrill added a two-run single during a five-run fourth inning for the Seminoles (49-11-1), who need a victory today or Thursday to win their second NCAA title in four years.
Kaley Mudge had three hits for Florida State, increasing her WCWS total to a record-tying 13.
Seminoles ace Kathryn Sandercock got the final four outs for the save, stopping a rally by Oklahoma, which scored two runs in the fourth inning and two more in the sixth after falling behind 7-0.
Kinzie Hansen and Nicole Mendes homered on consecutive pitches and Mackenzie Donihoo had a two-run single for the Sooners (54-4).
Harding opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the third inning off Oklahoma starter Nicole May, who allowed 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Harding's two-run double in the fourth made it 4-0, and Sherrill -- from nearby Moore, Okla. -- drove in two more in the five-run inning. Sherrill also threw out Oklahoma's Tiare Jennings at the plate in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the Seminoles' four-run advantage.
The Seminoles got an unusual insurance run in the seventh. Josie Muffley was held up late at third on Harding's single, and Anna Shelnutt was thrown out while scrambling back to second. Muffley broke for the plate and was tagged out, but an obstruction call gave Florida State the run.
Muffley stayed down briefly after the collision at the plate before getting up and leaving the field. She was replaced in the bottom of the inning.
Seminoles starter Danielle Watson allowed 4 runs in 5 2/3 innings to get the win.
