First Jessie, now Josie … FSU Softball thwarts Washington with another classic play in World Series

They say fifth anniversaries are supposed to be celebrated with gifts of wood, but Florida State’s softball team apparently decided to go with leather instead.

Nearly five years to the day after former Seminole great Jessie Warren delivered an incredible diving catch and turned it into a huge double play in the seventh inning of a World Series game against Washington, current FSU star Josie Muffley made a similarly fantastic play in a similar situation.

With the Huskies threatening in the seventh inning Saturday night, Muffley leaped high into the air to rob Washington outfielder Madison Huskey of what appeared to be a sure-fire base hit with one out.

If the ball reached the outfield, Florida State likely would have seen its two-run lead sliced in half, and the Huskies would still have had two runners on base. At the very least, Washington would have had the bases loaded with one out and a golden scoring opportunity.

Instead, Muffley not only snared the line drive but then fired to Devyn Flaherty at second base to end the game with a double play and preserve a 3-1 victory.

“I’ve seen it so many times,” Flaherty said of Muffley’s knack for making highlight-reel defensive plays. “Not like I would have been disappointed if she didn’t make it, but I knew she was going to make it. I was like, ‘Throw it to me. We’ve got to get the double play here.’”

The play was eerily reminiscent to Warren’s iconic defensive gem at third base during the 2018 World Series. That one didn’t end the game, but it came on an even bigger stage.

With the Seminoles and Huskies squaring off in the best-of-three championship series, Florida State held a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning while Washington got its leadoff batter on base. The Huskies promptly attempted a bunt to move the potential tying run into scoring position, but the ball soared into the air, and Warren made a diving catch on practically the other side of the infield.

One out later, Florida State had won the game.

One day later, the Seminoles clinched the national championship.

Warren’s play, which took place on June 4, 2018, was celebrated immediately on social media and later received various awards and salutes. Even the late great Kobe Bryant was quick to offer praise:

After Muffley’s big play, which happened on June 3, 2023, it was Warren who was paying tribute on social media. She even told Muffley that she is now part of the, “Husky double play club.”

When asked what helps Florida State’s defense make such incredible plays against Washington, Alameda said it likely has to do with the Huskies’ offensive style.

“They have a lot of short-gamers — a lot of kids that kind of slap,” Alameda said. “It gives us the opportunity to maybe cheat a little bit in some of those. That’s a little bit what Jessie did in the situation in the national championship series.”

This was less about predicting where the ball was going to go, and more about Muffley just showing elite physical skills.

“Josie is so athletic,” said FSU ace Kathryn Sandercock, who pitched the final 5 2/3 innings Saturday night. “Athleticism for her to get up that high. To have the wherewithal to throw it to second base and get the double play, she’s just an incredible athlete. Great teammate. Definitely has a great softball IQ. I have so much trust in her playing.”

Thanks in large part to Muffley’s play, Florida State will advance to the World Series semifinals on Monday night. The Seminoles will face the winner of Oklahoma State-Tennessee, and they’ll need one more win to advance to the championship series.

Washington now will take on Stanford in an elimination game on Sunday.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.

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