FSU softball rattled off 10 straight wins after losing its season opener against Oklahoma State(including avenging that loss). However, the Noles lost a doubleheader against Texas A&M, and some FSU fans are ready to declare this season a bust.
I know it's fans being fans, but it's always funny to see reactions after losses. Here's the thing. There's A LOT of softball left to play, and Coach Lonni Alameda has to find the best options inside the circle and up and down the lineup.
A year ago, FSU was 5-3 after the JoAnne Graf Classic, including back-to-back losses against UCLA and Georgia. FSU pitching struggled early last year and suffered injuries to some key arms, but managed to nearly win the ACC and the ACC Tournament while making it to Super Regionals.
Last year's team had a lot of holes. Players emerged, and lineups changed to maximize strengths and weaknesses. That's what good coaches do every year, and this should be no different.
FSU softball wants to win every game, but finding the right combinations so they are playing well at the end of the year is what matters most.
FSU beat themselves in both games against Texas A&M. They had a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning with two outs and an error led to runs. The second game saw the starting pitching walk the bases loaded with no outs. The offense only scored runs in two of the 15 innings played in that game.
Here are three areas that need addressing:
- Starting Pitching
- Second half of the offensive lineup
- Defense
Transfer Annabelle Widra has been the best starting pitching by far. I think she's solidified as likely the most consistent option. Freshman Jazzy Francik is right behind her, with transfer Julia Apsel and sophomore Ashtyn Danley in the next tier. Those four alone give FSU much better depth than last year already.
Makeena Reid hasn't regained her form from two years ago. Whether she's injured or lacks confidence, she's not reliable right now, but FSU has games coming up that could help her find success. I would use her as much as possible to see if she can find it. If not, we know she's likely not an option against better competition down the road.
FSU has five starters batting .357 or higher. Once opposing pitchers get through those five, the second part of the lineup offers very little, if anything. Ashtyn Danley has been solid at the plate when not pitching, and it may be time to give her more at-bats. Jahni Kerr and Amaya Ross must find ways to get on base, especially the latter with her speed.
The offense went missing in action overall against Texas A&M, and that happens against good pitching at times. However, it's the bottom of the lineup that I'm most concerned about.
Defensively, second base is an issue, and there have been some balls in the outfield that likely should have been caught. FSU has a .957 fielding percentage, and that's not going to get it done when you don't have what I'd call an elite pitching staff.
I expect Coach Alameda to push the right buttons to maximize the talent on the roster. This team will win a lot of games and make the NCAA Tournament. However, they must maximize everything and not beat themselves against top competition.
They should get back on track against Florida Gulf Coast (6-12) in their next two games. Hopefully, we'll see some of these issues cleaned up.