FSU softball: Noles move to No. 5 nationally after opening week

FSU softball (4-0, 0-0 ACC) began the 2022 season ranked No. 6 nationally, but a perfect start in the JoAnne Graf Classic over the weekend saw their ranking improve to No. 5 nationally.

The Noles scored 35 runs and only allowed two over the four-game tournament. It was a dominant effort in all three phases of the game. FSU has six players batting .500 or better, with six home runs, six doubles, and three triples.

They tallied 46 hits in 97 at-bats (.474 average) and only struck out seven times. FSU pitchers didn’t allow an earned run through 24 innings, with 30 strikeouts against three walks and 13 hits allowed. The Noles will get back on the field Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, hosting South Alabama.

However, the competition will dramatically increase in the games following that one. FSU softball will take on No. 15 Tennessee, No. 10 Texas, No. 17 Michigan, No. 24 UCF, and No. 4 UCLA in the ESPN Elite Invitational that begins Thursday, February 17th and goes through Sunday, February 20th. The games will take place on a neutral field in Clearwater, Florida.

The ESPN Elite Invitational will consist of single games each day, with the final day consisting of a double-header. Here’s a look at the schedule:

• Thursday, February 17: Tennessee (ESPNU @ 4 p.m. ET)
• Friday, February 18th: Texas (ESPNU @ 1 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, February 19th: Michigan (ACC Network @ 1 p.m. ET)
• Sunday, February 20th: UCF (ESPN+ @ 12:30 p.m. ET) and UCLA (ESPN2 @ 7 p.m. ET)

FSU softball The Noles will play six games over the next five days, which should help assess just how good this team can be in 2022. If they continue playing like they were in the first four games, they’ll be a tough game for anyone in the nation.