FSU softball: Noles ready to battle No. 6 Oklahoma State
By Kelvin Hunt
No. 3 FSU softball (43-5, 16-5 ACC) will host No. 6 Oklahoma State (38-7, 14-1 Big 12) in a two-game series beginning Thursday. FSU softball is coming off a huge three-game sweep over Clemson last weekend.
However, wins over Oklahoma State would continue to bolster FSU softball and their already impressive resume. Oklahoma State is coming off a three-game sweep over Texas to secure first place in their conference. They have seven batters hitting .300 or better, with 61 home runs, 45 doubles, and four triples.
Their on-base percentage is .396, and they strike out 18 percent of their at-bats. Oklahoma State’s pitching staff brings a 1.79 ERA while allowing a .177 batting average.
They have allowed 23 home runs and have 428 strikeouts and 100 walks in 293 innings. Defensively, they have 20 errors for a .983 fielding percentage.
FSU softball has six batters hitting over. 300, with 49 home runs, 68 doubles, and 10 triples.
Their on-base percentage is .394, and they walk (201) more than they strike out (197). FSU’s pitching staff brings a 1.90 ERA while allowing a .198 batting average.
They have allowed 28 home runs and have 310 strikeouts and 83 walks in 332 innings. Defensively, FSU has 24 errors for a .983 fielding percentage. The Noles have an RPI of five and Oklahoma State checks in at eight.
We kick off our two-game series with Oklahoma State tomorrow at 7 PM. Thursday's game is our Paint it Pink game.
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) April 27, 2022
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FSU Softball Keys To Victory
These two teams are fairly evenly matched. Oklahoma State has a slight edge in offensive power and their pitchers strikeout a higher percentage of opposing batters.
However, FSU does a better job of applying pressure to opposing teams with stolen bases and aggressive base-running. FSU batters strikeout 15.5 percent of their at-bats.
Both teams are superb defensively, but I’d give the defensive edge to FSU softball because they have over 100 more putouts on the season.
If they swing it well, I think that will be the difference in the series. The game will begin at 7 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN2. Friday’s game will take place at 6 p.m. and will air on ESPNU.
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