FSU softball: Takeaways from loss against No. 1 Oklahoma

FSU softball (21-6) had No. 1 Oklahoma on the ropes but couldn’t hang on to a one-run lead in an eventual 5-4 loss.

Truthfully, the game wasn’t as close as the score indicated, with Oklahoma applying constant pressure offensively. The Sooners had 12 hits and only struck out once, compared to only six hits and 12 strikeouts for FSU batters.

The Sooners left nine runners stranded, compared to two for the Noles. As I wrote in the preview, it’s all about the little things for FSU softball, but at least they made the Sooners earn everything they got offensively. Makenna Reid allowed back-to-back solo home runs.

The first came with a 2-0 hitter count, and the second was an 0-1 pitch. Reid and Sandercock combined for 2.1 innings pitched, seven hits, and three earned runs allowed. We knew Oklahoma would score runs, but the biggest question was would the FSU softball hitters rise to the occasion?

The hitters who need to play at a high level continue to struggle big time. Michaela Edenfield struck out in all three of her plate appearances. Devyn Flaherty was 0-3 with two strikeouts, and Mack Leonard was 0-1.

Jahni Kerr hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1, and Katie Dack hit a monster three-run home run to give the Noles a brief 4-3 lead in the fourth inning. I think that’s going to be the story of this team.

They don’t seem to have the pitching or the bats right now to go toe-to-toe with the elite teams. A base running error by Alabama kept this game close Tuesday night.

Here’s another thing to remember. FSU softball was 11-1 in one-run games last year. The lone loss in those scenarios was in the game they got eliminated in the Tallahassee Regional. I’m not saying last year’s team was lucky, but more so winning close games at that rate isn’t sustainable. FSU is (2-4) in one-run games this season.

This team isn’t that much different than last year’s team. The pitching is better, but the offense and defense aren’t as good, which has cost them in some games.

FSU softball has some things to figure out, but going to Oklahoma for four games (1-4 with two losses by one run) against the No. 3 and No. 1 teams nationally was a good learning experience.

If they can get certain hitters to start producing like we know they’re capable, they’ll be a problem for anyone.

They will enter ACC play Friday, hosting Syracuse at 6 p.m. ET.