FSU softball blasts Syracuse to open ACC play, looks to clinch series on Saturday

FSU softball (23-4, 1-0 ACC) won its 12th consecutive game in a 12-1 run-rule win over the Syracuse Orange on Friday evening. Jazzy Francik was the winning pitcher, going four innings, walking three, striking out four, and allowing one hit.

Freshman Marlee Gaskell finished the final frame, walking three, allowing no hits, and striking out one. Those two pitchers continue to struggle with walks for some reason, and a better team probably makes FSU pay.

However, Syracuse doesn’t have a great pitching staff, and it showed. FSU pounded out 11 hits, walked six times, had two hit batters, and didn’t strike out once in the game.

Isa Torres continues her torrid pace, going two for two with two RBI. Jaysoni Beachum went three for three with four RBI. Anna Hinde went two for two with an RBI, and Makenna Sturgis also went two for two with an RBI. Hayley Griggs hit her first career home run and had two RBI.

It was a pretty cool moment before the game with FSU softball honoring one of its greatest players, Lacey Waldrop:

Waldrop is only the third player to have her number retired and finished with 109 career wins, 29 losses, and a 1.37 ERA. She was the USA Softball Player of the Year in 2014, and ACC Player of the Year that same season, and three-time All-American. She was All-ACC all four years in Tallahassee and finished her career with 917 strikeouts.

It was a great night all around for Nole nation and the ladies will look to clinch the series in Saturday's game that starts at 1 p.m. and will air on the ACCNX Channel.