FSU softball: Noles open the 2023 season against Lipscomb

No. 4 FSU softball will open their 2023 season in Tallahassee at the JoAnne Graf Classic Tournament against Lipscomb Thursday at 6 p.m.

The game will air on the ACCNX channel. The two teams have faced one another six times since 2008, with FSU winning all six and three games ending via the 10-run five-inning rule. Lipscomb finished last season with a (20-32, 10-14 ASUN) record. FSU defeated Lipscomb 5-3 in last year’s outing.

Thursday’s opener will be the first of five games in the JoAnne Graf Classic. FSU will face Longwood in the first game and Lipscomb again in the second game of a doubleheader Friday.

They’ll face Longwood in the first game Saturday and Purdue in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday.

So that’s two games against Lipscomb and two against Longwood, with a final against Purdue if you’re keeping track. FSU softball returns a lot of production from last year’s team on offense and defense.

They’ll look to erase the bad taste of getting upset in the Tallahassee regional. Ace pitcher Kathryn Sandercock returns, along with Emma Wilson and Mack Leonard. Some help from the transfer portal in Allison Royalty and some talented freshmen join the fray.

FSU will miss Sydney Sherill at third base and the plate, but they return a lot of firepower from last year’s squad. Leonard, Devyn Flaherty, Kalei Harding, Michaela Edenfield, Jahni Kerr, and Kaley Mudge return. Transfer Katie Deck should be a factor as well.

The first few games of the season will be good warm-ups before the Noles enter the 2023 TaxAct Clearwater Invitational with much stiffer competition.

FSU softball had a knack for winning tough games or coming from behind in 2022. They should be deeper on the mound, and the offense should be as explosive as last season. I look for the ladies to make a deep run in the postseason.

UPDATE: