FSU softball: Biggest differences between 2022 and 2023 teams
By Kelvin Hunt
Pitching
The 2022 pitching staff felt like it was Kathryn Sandercock or bust. It was evident because she pitched 194.1 innings in 44 appearances.
Sandercock has the same number this year but has only pitched 172.1 innings. The pitching staff is much deeper, with four pitchers throwing 48 or more innings.
FSU only had two pitchers to pitch over 33 innings last year. This year’s pitching staff allows opposing teams to bat .189 compared to .200 last year.
They’ve also only allowed 23 home runs compared to 39 last year. Last year’s staff had a better strikeout to walk ratio, but this year’s staff has allowed fewer runs, hits, and has a lower ERA.
FSU has two No. 1 pitchers in Sandercock and freshman Makenna Reid, with others like Ali DuBois, Mack Leonard, and Allison Royalty capable of getting outs. The biggest issue is walks, and Royalty has the biggest issue in that department, with 36 in 68 innings.
It’s likely why we didn’t see her in the Georgia series, but she’s capable of getting outs when she’s consistently in the strike zone. All these pitchers offer different looks and speeds, and that’s invaluable in a three-game series. That’s something FSU softball didn’t have last year.