FSU softball: Noles get past South Alabama to remain undefeated

FSU softball (5-0, 0-0 ACC ) rolled past S. Alabama 4-3 to remain undefeated as they head into the ESPN Elite Invitational Tournament Thursday.

FSU pitcher Kathryn Sandercock went six innings, scattering three hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Sandercock threw 85 pitches, with 65 of them for strikes.

Emma Wilson came into the game to close it out in the top of the seventh inning but didn’t make it easy. She gave up a double and a two-run home run before getting the final out. South Alabama got on the board in the top of the fourth inning via a leadoff walk and a double followed by a sacrifice fly.

Sandercock got out of the runners on second and third with no outs by only allowing that run. The FSU offense wasn’t as hot as it was in the JoAnne Graf Classic, but used some timely two-out hitting to get the job done.

Sydney Sherrill went 1-3 with two RBI’s and a stolen base. Devyn Flaherty went 1-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. Kalei Harding also went 1-3 with an RBI. FSU had five hits total and was aggressive on the basepaths, with six stolen bases, which played a part in some of the runs generated.

FSU batters left six runners on base, including a bases-loaded strikeout with Mack Leonard at-bat.

FSU got took some starters out of the game after securing the lead to get some younger players some experience.

Final Thoughts

I thought the pitching(aside from Wilson’s shaky inning) and defense were great. However, the FSU batters didn’t show enough patience in some at-bats, and in other at-bats watched some great pitches go by in hitter counts.

They’ll see an increase in competition in the next few games and will need to play well in all three phases if they want to come away victorious. They’ll take on No. 15 Tennessee Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.