FSU softball: Pitt avoids series sweep to hand Noles first loss of season

No. 3 FSU softball (19-1, 2-1 ACC) saw their bid to become 20-0 end with a 7-5 loss against Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon. Kathryn Sandercock took the loss as Pitt came out swinging the bats to avoid the series sweep.

Pittsburgh got on the board in the top of the first inning behind an error and a double to score the runner. The FSU offense responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame for a 4-1 lead. However, Pittsburgh scored two runs in the top of the second and third innings to take a 5-4 lead.

They touched Sandercock for five hits and four earned runs in 2.2 innings. She allowed two doubles and two home runs before exiting the game. Danielle Watson relieved Sandercock and went 4.1 innings with five strikeouts, one walk, and three hits allowed.

FSU tied the game 5-5, but Pittsburgh used the long ball again to take a 7-5 lead in the top of the sixth that would eventually become the final score. The FSU left fielder allowed a ball to fall (it went down as a double) that should have been caught to fall, which eventually led to the two-run home run. The FSU offense had five hits and five walks and only struck out three times but left seven runners on base.

The three, four, and five hitters only had one hit combined in the game. Kaley Mudge and Jahni Kerr were the only two hitters with multiple hits. We knew the team wouldn’t go undefeated, but it was a game where you have to credit Pittsburgh for their desire to avoid the sweep.

They came out swinging, and their pitcher did a solid job of getting FSU batters out when needed. FSU softball will return to action Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET when they host Furman. The game will air on the ACCNX channel.