FSU softball: Takeaways from ‘Noles series sweep over Georgia Tech

FSU softball (29-7, 8-1 ACC) run-ruled Georgia Tech 9-1 in Sunday’s game to complete the series sweep. It was the second straight day the Noles’ offense came alive to end the game via the 8-run rule.

In my series preview, I mentioned FSU needed its trio of Flaherty, Edenfield, and Leonard to start heating up at the plate, and man did they answer the call over the weekend. Here’s what they did at the plate in the series:

• Devyn Flaherty: 5 for 8 with four runs scored and two stolen bases, and zero strikeouts
• Michaela Edenfield: 3 for 6 with two runs scored and six RBI, and zero strikeouts
• Mack Leonard: 6 for 8 with three runs scored and five RBI, zero strikeouts

The trio went 14 for 22 and didn’t strike out once. Edenfield hit a home run in the second game, and Leonard hit home runs in game one and game three. Katie Dack went 3-5 in the series with a home run in Sunday’s game.

Georgia Tech isn’t a great hitting ball club as I said in the preview. FSU’s pitchers only surrendered five runs in the series, but still issued too many free passes. They allowed nine walks against 11 strikeouts in 18 innings. That’s not going to get it done against better-hitting teams, and that’s what the Noles will face next weekend when they take on No. 5 Clemson. Allison Royalty was responsible for four of those walks in only three innings pitched.

Overall Thoughts

It was good to see the FSU softball offense finally get going, and it couldn’t have come at a better time with Clemson on deck. The Noles will travel to Clemson for their three-game series beginning Thursday night. The Tigers are 36-1 and 12-0 in the ACC but will play Furman Wednesday before welcoming the Noles. FSU will have a chance to make a statement in what will be a top-10 matchup.