Stetson shocks ACC champ Florida State in NCAA Softball Tournament upset
The NCAA Softball Tournament has its first upset of 2026 as the Stetson Hatters shocked No. 9 Florida State 8-3 on Friday in Tallahassee.
The 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament is underway and has already seen its first upset. Stetson stunned overall No. 9 seed Florida State 8-3 in Tallahassee, Florida, on Friday afternoon.
The Seminoles — who were the champions of the ACC this season — are now just one loss away from elimination. Florida State becomes the third team to be a national seed and lose their regional home opener by four or more runs, joining an infamous group of 2009 Northwestern and 2012 UCLA. The NCAA softball tournament began seeding teams in 2005.
It's the first time since 2009 that Florida State lost its regional home opener. Stetson had not beaten Florida State in softball since 1987 and entered this game 1-18 all-time against the Seminoles. Friday was the third time this season FSU had given up eight or more runs in a loss.
It was Stetson's second win ever in the NCAA Tournament softball tournament. The Hatters last won in the postseason in 2014 against UCF. Stetson might see the Knights in the winners’ bracket on Saturday, as they’ll face the winner of the second game in Tallahassee between UCF and Jacksonville State.