Kaley Mudge was already a legend at the Women's College World Series, but after the catch she made against Oklahoma Wednesday night, she's going need a statue outside the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.
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Florida State was down 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 1 of the championship series. OU's Haley Lee blasted a ball out to left field with two runners on — if it went over the fence, the game would be over via the run rule.
Not on Mudge's watch.
FSU's left fielder reached over and snagged what would've been the game-ending home run from Lee. It was epic — and if the score were closer, it would've gone down as one of the greatest defensive plays in Seminoles softball history.
KALEY MUDGE, ARE YOU KIDDING?! 🤯 @mudge03#WCWS #SCtop10 x 🎥 ESPN / @FSU_Softball pic.twitter.com/rofO1Nn0HN
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 8, 2023
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Mudge's grab was a lone bright spot in Florida State's 5-0 loss — but, man, was it awesome. Announcer Beth Mowins declaring that Lee got "Mudged" is also an underrated part of that entire sequence.
It wasn't the first time someone's been Mudged at the WCWS. She's become somewhat of a staple in Oklahoma City. In 2021, she became the first player to record five hits in a seven-inning game at the WCWS when she did so against Alabama. Mudge also holds the record for most hits in a single WCWS with 14.
Some players just show up on the sport's biggest stage. Mudge is definitely one of them. Putting it all on the line and making a sensational catch the way she did is what softball is all about.
Florida State will attempt to send the WCWS Finals to a third game as it battles Oklahoma in Game 2 on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Will Oklahoma win its third consecutive championship, or will it get Mudged?
