FSU softball looks to clinch ACC regular season title against Louisville

FSU softball (44-8, 19-2 ACC) will host Louisville (35-14, 16-4) for a chance to clinch the ACC regular season title on Senior weekend.

FSU defeated Florida in its midweek matchup to sweep the regular season series against the Gators. Louisville hasn’t played since sweeping Boston College last weekend.

Their four ACC losses have come in series losses against Duke and Notre Dame.

The Cardinals are batting .327, with 54 home runs, 57 doubles, and 19 triples. They have an on-base percentage of .418.

Louisville’s pitching staff brings a 3.04 ERA while allowing a .253 batting average.
They have allowed 23 home runs and have 235 strikeouts and 105 walks in 311 innings. Defensively, they have 53 errors for a .961 fielding percentage.

FSU softball has six batters hitting over. 300, with 50 home runs, 97 doubles, and 13 triples.
Their on-base percentage is .417, and they walk (215) more than they strike out (177). FSU’s pitching staff brings a 1.77 ERA while allowing a .194 batting average.

They have allowed 19 home runs and 272 strikeouts, and 101 walks in 328.1 innings. Defensively, FSU has 48 errors for a .965 fielding percentage.

Keys to Victory

FSU softball has better pitching, a more powerful lineup, better defense, and more aggressive on the base paths. Louisville has lost to several lesser teams this year.

All the Noles have to do is keep hitting the ball like they have over the past few weeks, and pitchers avoid the walks and hitting batters.

The latter is where they’ve gotten into trouble, along with a few fielding miscues to aid opponents. I’m curious as to what pitching rotation Coach Alameda will use. Hopefully, she’ll go with a heavy dose of Kathryn Sandercock and Makenna Reid.

Those two pitchers have been the most consistent and don’t walk many batters, unlike Allison Royalty and some others. Friday’s game will begin at 6 p.m. and will air on the ACCNX channel.