FSU softball blows past Duke in rubbermatch to win series

FSU softball (26-7, 5-1 ACC) exploded on offense to run past the Duke Blue Devils 7-3 Sunday to win the series.

The offense had been sparse throughout the series, only scoring one run in Saturday’s loss. However, the Noles wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning Sunday.

FSU scored three runs in the first, one in the second, and two in the third inning to hold a 6-0 lead after three innings.

It should have been seven runs, but Josie Muffley was out at home on a wild pitch because she missed the plate on her slide and was tagged out.

The game was affected by a rain delay, but the sun finally came out after a dreary morning in North Carolina.

FSU threatened with runners on first and second with one out, but Jahni Kerr and Michaela Edenfield struck out looking to end the inning.

Kathryn Sandercock held Duke hitless until the fourth inning, striking out four and walking none. Duke led off the fourth inning with an infield single, and a bunt single put runners at first and third with no outs because nobody covered third base.

The next batter hit a line drive to center field that went off Jahni Kerr for a double to score Duke’s first run and put runners on second and third with no outs.

An error by Josie Muffley scored another run to put runners at first and third with no outs. Duke attempted a squeeze play to score another run to make it 6-3 with runners on first and second with no outs.  Sandercock struck out the next batter and got two ground outs to get out of the jam.

Josie Muffley got a two-out single in the top of the fifth and stole second, but Mack Leonard and Kaley Mudge struckout.

Duke went down in order in the bottom of the fifth and that was essentially the end of the game at 5:30 p.m. due to ACC travel requirements. However, Kalei Harding hit a solo home run for good measure in the top of the sixth inning to make it 7-3 before the official end of the game.

Sunday games end at 5:30 p.m. so the road teams can get back to their campuses. It was a solid win for the Noles after a tough loss on Saturday.