Powered by a pair of two-run homers from Beth Damon and Izzy Mertes, UCF defeated Florida State 4-2 in Game 2 of a doubleheader Sunday at JoAnne Graf Field to win the Tallahassee Regional and advance to next weekend's super regionals in the NCAA softball tournament.

UCF struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Damon homered to right-center field. After Florida State rallied to tie, Mertes delivered the go-ahead runs in the fourth, launching the home run that provided the final margin. Mertes finished 1-for-2 and also had a walk, while Damon was 1-for-3. Kendall Yarnell was the only Knight with multiple hits, going 2-for-3.

Starting pitcher Tori Payne guided the Knights from the circle, pitching six total innings. She allowed one earned run on four hits and five walks while recording one strikeout.

Florida State's Anna Hinde drove in a run with a single in the third, part of a 2-for-4 day, and an RBI single from Isa Torres knotted the score at 2-2 in the fourth. Jaysoni Beachum reached base in all four of her plate appearances for the host Seminoles, finishing 2-for-2 with two walks.

Ashtyn Danley started for Florida State, pitching four innings and allowing two earned runs. Bella Dimitrijevic surrendered the go-ahead homer to Mertes in her relief appearance.

Up next: The NCAA softball tournament continues Thursday with best-of-three super regionals.

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