A day after Kathryn Sandercock fired a gem to shut down a powerful Georgia lineup, Florida State softball coach Lonni Alameda turned to one of her lesser-used arms in the circle to close out the series.

Mack Leonard delivered on the biggest stage for the Seminoles.

The senior threw 4 ⅓ innings, allowing one earned run on two hits to go along with four strikeouts in a 4-2 victory over the Bulldogs in Game 2 of the Tallahassee Super Regional Friday at JoAnne Graf Field before a sold-out crowd of 2,013.

Leonard, who had only thrown 30 innings this season, pitched her biggest game of the season with everything on the line for the Seminoles.

The victory advances the Seminoles to the Women’s College World Series for the 12th time in program history and fifth time under Alameda.

“Honestly, I did not have a single nerve,” Leonard said of taking the ball on such a big stage. “I just had so much excitement and ‘let’s get it done.’ That’s all I had in my mind.”

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Her mindset worked as the right-hander from Illinois surrendered Jaydyn Goodwin’s double followed by Jaiden Fields' single in the third inning. Goodwin scored on a groundout and was the only run Leonard allowed.

Leonard threw strikes and made quick work of the Bulldogs.

“I think Mack commanded the ball well early,” Georgia head coach Tony Baldwin said. “Honestly, we came out a little timid on the offensive side.”

The 4 ⅓ innings represented a season high and when she left in the fifth, fans chanted ”Mack,” asking for her curtain call.

The only other baserunner Leonard allowed was a walk to Goodwin with one-out in the fifth, ending her night.

Makenna Reid entered and struck out back-to-back hitters to end a potential threat for the Bulldogs. Ace Kat Sandercock, who started in Thursday's 8-1 win, came on to close the game in her final appearance at FSU. She worked out of two late jams in the sixth and seventh innings that saw the game-tying runs reach base.

“Mack kicked it off, and It was awesome,” Alameda said. “Kat came in to close it down. It was just super cool to see it all come together. So very proud of the group.”

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How Mack Leonard learned about the start

There was neither a dramatic announcement to the team nor a major heads-up to Leonard that she'd start Game 2. However, Leonard had a feeling she would get the ball. In fact, she wanted it, despite throwing limited innings this season with a 3.03 ERA. She had allowed 20 hits to go along with 29 strikeouts and 15 walks for the season.

In her two-year FSU career, she had thrown 63 ⅓ innings after throwing 181 ⅔ career innings in three years at Illinois State.

“I was in the training room and got the notification on my phone about the starting lineup and was like, ‘Oh cool,’” Leonard said. “Coach mentioned we were going to hammer out drop balls and changeups to them in scout this morning. I was thinking, ‘Oh I really want it. I really want the ball in my hand’

“And I’m glad I could do what I did.”

Leonard’s last outing was also a start coming against Marist in last weekend's Tallahassee Regional. She tied her then season-high of four innings pitched, combining with Reid to throw a no-hitter in a 9-0 victory.

“We wouldn't be there without what Mack did today," Alameda said of Leonard’s performance Friday.

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Kathryn Sandercock’s final home game

While Leonard fittingly started and earned the victory in her final appearance at JoAnne Graf, it was Sandercock who closed out the game.

Already the leader in career saves with 17 and the single-season record holder with nine this season, she further cemented her legacy as a Seminole.

It was an emotional final night for Sandercock.

“I'm so grateful I got to finish my last home game out there on the field,” she said. “The vibes were great. The dugout was so much fun. We were in it, and it was just an awesome game through in and out. There was nowhere I rather be than on the bench that game because it was so much fun, and then glad to get in the game.

“It’s pretty nice to finish out my last home game on the field.”

While Sandercock and Leonard both have a few more games in Oklahoma City to play for in the Women’s College World Series, they will soon team up again.

Sandercock was drafted with the second pick in the second round and sixth overall by the Texas Smoke which is based in Austin, Texas. Leonard was also drafted by the Smoke with the 18th overall pick in the fifth round.

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FSU Women’s College World Series appearances

• 1987

• 1990

• 1991

• 1992

• 1993

• 2002

• 2004

• 2014

• 2016

• 2018

• 2021

• 2023

Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Mack Leonard pitches Florida State softball past Georgia to WCWS