FSU softball: Royalty shines as Noles dispatch No. 22 Louisiana

FSU softball (9-2) rebounded from a tough loss against No. 2 UCLA to dispatch No. 22 Louisiana 5-2 Sunday afternoon. If FSU softball fans wondered how the Noles would respond from te tough losss, I think we have the answer.

FSU pitcher Allison Royalty took another step toward becoming a reliable arm for Lonni Alameda. Pitching depth was a liability last season, and Royalty came in from the transfer portal to help with that issue.

She went 5.2 innings and allowed four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. Royalty threw strikes 68 percent of the time, which has been an issue for her early in the season.

The FSU offense got on the board early in the first inning when Mack Leonard hit a solo home run. The Noles scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning behind a three-run home run by Krystina Hartley.

FSU played a flawless game defensively, and we had the usual Kayley Mudge web gem.

Mack Leonard added another run on a sacrifice fly later in that inning. Louisiana pushed across two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to chase Royalty from the game.

Mack Leonard got the final out of the frame before the FSU offense exploded for five more runs to end the game via the 8-run rule. Kaia LoPreste ended the game with a RBI single to rightfield. Kayley Mudge went 2-4 with an RBI. Mack Leonard went 2-3 with five RBI, and both hits were home runs.

Hartley went 2-2 with three RBI. The FSU offense had 11 hits overall and went 4-11 with runners in scoring position. It was good to see others contribute on offense with the trio of Michaela Edenfield, Devyn Flaherty, and Kalei Harding going hitless.

The Noles will take on No. 12 Alabama in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader to close out the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational.