MOBILE, Alabama — Recipe for how to break a Jaguar’s heart: 1) Break open an early six-run lead and let simmer until you need just one out, one strike, to win the first NCAA regional softball title in school history; 2) then add a two-out rally to tie and add an extra helping of bitter home-run juice by Florida State to take that—oh, so close—sweet regional-crown taste away; 3) then load the bases with hope in the bottom of the seventh only to leave all runners on like three cakes out in the rain.

Slice it any way you want and season with salty tears, it tasted like an extra-inning meltdown at Jaguar Field Sunday night. FSU held on to win 7-6.

The University of South Alabama led 6-0 after two innings and 6-1 after four. But the Seminole’s seventh-inning burst—enhanced by Kelly Hensley’s grand slam—tied South Alabama 6-6 before former Daphne and Satsuma High pitcher Hannah Campbell got the third out. The Jags rebounded to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn’t get the winning run home.

Pensacola native Victoria East (Escambia High) then led off the eighth inning for FSU with a line-drive home run over the right-center wall for what would be the final score, a 7-6 Seminole victory. Former St. Paul’s Episcopal player Emily Messer had an outstanding leaping over-the-wall catch that robbed East of a home run to left field earlier in the game. The ‘Noles (44-17) will advance to the super regional at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.

The Jags (48-9) had their best season ever winning their second-straight  conference title and hosting their NCAA regional tournament in only their seventh year of existence.

Campbell tossed the first perfect game in South Alabama history Friday in her 10-0 shutout win over Mississippi Valley State in the opening round of the tournament. It was the junior lefty’s fourth career no-hitter as well as her first-ever 18-up, 18-down performance.

That 48th win came earlier Sunday as former Fairhope High ace Farish Beard pitched a two-hit, 3-0 shutout over the ‘Noles with eight strike outs. The win forced a third and deciding game for the regional championship.

FSU had also defeated USA Saturday 2-1 in the second-round of the double-elimination tournament. South eliminated Mississippi State 3-0 with Beard pitching after FSU beat the Bulldogs 5-2 Friday.

South defeated Mississippi Valley State 10-0 Friday to advance to the first meeting with FSU Saturday. USA out hit FSU 9-3 in the first game and 11-8 in the nightcap. The Jags also committed fewer errors but the few they had were costly.

South Alabama head coach Becky Clark said she was proud of her players efforts and the results they produced during the season. She also praised their character as individuals and as a team.

“We knew the obstacles we had in front of us today,” she added. “And with the kids we have, they just put it all out there. And sometimes when you do that, it doesn’t always go your way. And it hurts.”

Beard finished her sophomore season undefeated at 23-0 for the year. Her regional record is 2-0 with no runs allowed and three hits total. She had 22 strike outs in 14 innings of post-season work. The Jags fielded just 4 seniors in 2013 with most starters returning.

Lacey Waldrop (24-8) got the title-game win for 19th-ranked, second-seeded Florida State. First seed and regional host South Alabama held a No. 13 national ranking going into the tournament.