FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- For the second time this weekend, Villanova's softball team has shocked a top 25 team. The Wildcats topped No. 23 Baylor on Feb. 28 and then opened the month of March by defeating No. 9 Florida State, 9-6.

Paige Rauch got the start in the circle and responded by going seven innings with seven strikeouts and six earned runs. However, she was backed up by a potent offense. 

Villanova got off to a rocky start, with all three of their batters grounding out to end the first inning. Facing two outs, Florida State recorded the first score of the game with a two-run home run. That lead grew to four by the end of the second inning, but Villanova kept fighting. 

The Wildcats rung up eight runs in the top of the third to take a lead that they would not surrender. Just like the Seminoles earlier in the game, Villanova did its damage facing two outs. 

Ally Jones, Angela Giampolo, Rauch and Chloe Smith scored to tie the game, but it was Sydney Hayes who broke it wide open when she launched a three-run homer over the left field wall. Julia DaCosta scored a few plays later to give Villanova a 8-4 lead going into the fourth. 

After adding a run in the sixth, Villanova headed to the seventh looking to close out the game. Florida State got two runs back, but Rauch was able to force the next batters to pop up without trouble.

Kern and DaCosta tied for the team lead in hits (2), but seven different players recorded a hit in the game. Hayes led the way with three RBI, while Rauch, Smith, Jones, Becky Ducar and Caroline Jones each had an RBI. 

Villanova will now head to San Diego to take on San Diego State, Mount St. Mary's (MD.), San Diego and CSUN.