FSU softball welcomes Georgia Bulldogs for NCAA Super Regionals

FSU softball (53-9) will face the Georgia Bulldogs (42-13) in the NCAA Super Regionals. The Noles survived an elimination game against South Carolina as Kathryn Sandercock fired a perfect game in the 1-0 victory. Georgia defeated Virginia Tech twice to reach this point.

Georgia’s pitching staff brings a 2.28 ERA while allowing a .213 batting average.

They have allowed 25 home runs and have 294 strikeouts and 114 walks in 358.2 innings. Defensively, they have 41 errors for a .973 fielding percentage. Georgia hitters bring a .322 batting average and .399 on-base percentage into the contest. They have massive power, with 91 home runs, 79 doubles, and 15 triples. Ironically, they only strike out in 14.6 percent of their at-bats.

FSU softball hitters bring a .307 batting average and a .404 on-base percentage into the contest. They have hit 57 home runs, 115 doubles, and 13 triples.

They walk (236) more than they strike out (204). FSU’s pitching staff brings a 1.65 ERA while allowing a .189 batting average.

They have allowed 22 home runs and 325 strikeouts, and 117 walks in 398.1 innings. Defensively, FSU has 54 errors for a .968 fielding percentage.

Keys to Victory

FSU softball has faced similar teams in the ACC. Clemson and Virginia Tech have serious power(VT has more home runs than UGA), and FSU swept both teams. Clemson has better pitching than UGA (and beat UGA in the regular season). The key in those games was avoiding walks and keeping the bases empty when the power hitters come up to bat. FSU softball has better pitching and is more aggressive on the base paths.

FSU will need to pick it up offensively, as their last 14 innings have only produced one run. However, UGA only has two reliable pitchers, and both average fewer than a strikeout per inning. Both will issue walks if FSU batters show patience.

I think FSU has more ways to win this series, as they can string hits together and manufacture runs out of nowhere with their speed on the bases. The FSU defensive will need to continue to play well, and FSU pitchers need to work ahead in the counts. I think the pressure to get past regionals will subside, and they’ll get back to playing like they were in the ACC Tournament. If they play like that, let’s ride! Game one will be Thursday at 7 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN2.