FSU softball: Noles host FAMU in mid-week doubleheader

FSU softball (4-1) will host nearby FAMU softball (2-1) Tuesday afternoon for a mid-week doubleheader as they prepare for the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational later this week.

The Noles avenged their lone loss of the season with a 5-0 shutout win over Longwood in their last outing Sunday. Some good signs were coming out of the JoAnne Graf Classic.

Kathryn Sandercock looked like the ace we know her to be. Freshman Makenna Reid looks like she could be the next ace to replace Sandercock once she exhausts her eligibility this year.

She’s averaging two strikeouts per inning so far. Transfer Allison Royalty looks like she’ll be a contributor on the mound but needs to cut down on the walks.

However, she has a nasty changeup with great movement on her pitches. If she can stay in the zone and let her defense work, she can help take some pressure off Sandercock. Pitcher Ali Dubois got the short end of the stick in her only outing.

She only allowed one hard-hit ball but was unfortunate with some weakly hit balls finding their way into play. I’m interested to see her in action again. Devyn Flaherty finally came alive at the plate and is already wreaking havoc on the basepaths with four stolen bases. Michaela Edendfield and Kalei Harding are seeing the ball well and have been productive.

Transfer Katie Dack has provided some pop with two home runs, and FSU needs Kayley Mudge and Mack Leonard to find their form at the plate. They’re getting on base but only have four RBIs between them.

FSU softball defeated FAMU by scores of 8-3 and 8-1 last year. The Rattlers have dealt with adverse weather conditions early in the season also.

They have had two games canceled and defeated Hampton and Mercer for their two wins. The first game will begin at 4 p.m. ET with the second game beginning 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. The game will air on the ACCNX channel.