'I wanted us to earn it': Devyn Flaherty leads by example in Florida State softball's win over Washington

This isn't the first time Florida State softball has made the trek out to Oklahoma City this year.

Head coach Lonni Alameda wants the team to take in the atmosphere at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, and show the team what it takes to get there. Players are allowed to step on the field and take a look around.

Junior Devyn Flaherty was not one of them.

She refused to step foot on the field, not as a protest or in any negative way, but as a message, she wanted to send to her team as motivation for the then-upcoming season.

"I just wanted us to earn it," Flaherty said. "I think coming after last year, we talk about it and it's been very process-oriented, and that was my process. Stay in it every game and pitch that I can, and that this team is going to make it back here [Oklahoma City]."

The Mississippi State loss in regional finals was one that has always been in the Seminoles' memory and has acted as motivation for what they want to achieve this spring. Over 60 games later, avenging the regional loss, and earning its 12th trip to the Women's College World Series, Flaherty is taking the field.

She played a big role in No. 3 FSU's 3-1 victory over No. 7 Washington on Saturday.

More:Game recap: FSU softball defeats Washington to advance to semifinals in WCWS

More:End of a curse: Florida State softball opens WCWS with win for first time under Alameda

More:Déjà vu?: Watch Josie Muffley's double play clinch FSU's victory over Washington in WCWS

Leading off and capping off

Despite hitting in the fifth position, Flaherty had the biggest impact from lead-off against the Huskies.

Flaherty recorded FSU's first hit of the game off a double to right field to get the offense pumping.

Following her at-bat, an error from Washington off the bat of Mack Leonard and a single from Katie Dack loaded the bases for FSU.

Senior Josie Muffley singled to bring Flaherty home and give the Seminoles their first lead of the game. The lead was eventually bumped to 2-0 by the end of the second.

In the sixth, with the Huskies cutting the lead to 2-1, Flaherty led off with a single to center field.

Following a stolen base, another error by Washington saw Leonard reach first again and Flaherty turn on the jets, pushing two bases to score and give the Seminoles that two-run lead back.

"For our team, Devyn works really hard," Alameda said. "You've got some players that are very athletically talented and others that are smartly talented. Devyn is a smart player and she takes pride in understanding the game. when you can see her start to make adjustments, it fires up the team."

Flaherty went 2-for-3 on the night, scoring a pair of runs, but her biggest play came at second base to boost FSU into the semifinal round.

With Washington gaining momentum late, and the six-run comeback in mind, Muffley made a leaping grab at shortstop to ring up the second out.

She'd then beam the ball over to Flaherty at second for the double play and to give the Seminoles the 3-1 win.

"Personally, in that situation, I've seen that so many times.," Flaherty said. "Not like I would've been disappointed if she [Muffley] didn't make it, but I knew she [Muffley] was going to make it. I was like 'throw it to me, throw it to me. We need to make the double play.' It's pretty cool that's a routine for her."

Adjusting as a leader

From preseason to postseason, Flaherty has believed that her team could make it back to OKC and she's made an effort over the entire season to reiterate that message. Alameda said that the junior has pushed herself to step into a leadership role this season.

"Devyn has been really challenged to be a good leader for us and leadership is really, really hard to do," Alameda said. "I can't tell you how many times we've been in the office, after games, talking about how we handle failure, 'cause she's such a competitive player."

"To see her thrive in these moments and not get down on the frustration of outcome, but stay in it, that's true leadership and the team recognizes it. She's done a great job of keeping us going."

With her team-oriented focus, and a little bit of superstition, FSU is just one win away from heading to the championship round as it'll face the winner of Oklahoma State and Tennessee on Monday at 7 p.m. Avoiding the field prior to the WCWS benefitted Flaherty, but even more, she's happy it benefitted her team.

"It paid off for me, but it's paying off more for the team, which is pretty cool," Flaherty said.

Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.