FSU softball (25-4, 3-0 ACC) has rattled off 14 straight wins since losing against No. 8 Alabama in the Dugout Classic a month ago. FSU actually lost two games to Alabama that week, with scores of 8-0 and 5-1, as the FSU offense was non-existent against the power pitching of the Crimson Tide.
The same was the case when FSU faced then No. 1 Texas Tech early in the season. FSU lost 3-2 and only mustered four hits in that game.
The offense has been humming during the winning streak, scoring 10+ runs in seven of those games. However, the pitching they’ve faced isn’t close to what they face when going against a top team like Alabama or Texas Tech.
The Noles will host the No. 2 Texas Tech Red Raiders (27-2) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. They’ll likely face either Nija Canady or Kaitlyn Terry, or both, like in the first game.
This FSU offense should benefit from the experience from earlier this season
FSU had a lineup full of freshmen in that first matchup (seventh game of the season), and Kennedy Harp wasn’t in the lineup. Harp returned a few weeks ago and has already made an impact, and Isa Torres is arguably the best hitter in college softball right now.  Jaysoni Beachum has been swinging it well, and a few of the freshmen are still hitting over .345.
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The lineup should fare better than in the first matchup. The other side of the coin is how the FSU pitching will fare against a potent Texas Tech lineup that’s batting .411 as a team with 50+ home runs?
FSU used its entire staff in the first game and only allowed four hits, but surrendered six walks. The walks have been a more significant issue this year than in years past.
Will the FSU offense finally show up and swing it well against a power arm? Will the FSU pitching staff show they can compete against a potent offense? It’s a chance for FSU to change the narrative that they only beat up on mediocre to good teams, and lose against the top teams.