FSU softball: Katie Dack three run home run blast pushes Noles past Alabama

FSU softball (26-5, 3-0 ACC) came from behind to defeat the No. 24 Alabama Crimson Tide 5-2 on Wednesday night. Alabama jumped to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and held that lead until the top of the fourth when Jahni Kerr laced a two-out double in the left centerfield gap to drive in two runs, tying the game 2-2.

Ashtyn Danley was the starting pitching for the Noles and went 4.1 innings before departing with two runners on. Julia Apsel came in relief and struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam.

That was huge because FSU scored three runs on the Katie Dack home run in the top of the sixth to take the 5-2 lead.

Danley allowed two earned runs on seven hits, two walks, and no strikeouts. Apsel pitched the final 2.2 innings, allowing no hits, no walks, and striking out four.

The FSU offense had seven hits and two walks while striking out six times. They struggled to string solid at-bats together for much of the game and were swinging at too many balls outside the strike zone.

However, they finally managed to get some timely hits in big situations. It was the first win over a ranked opponent since defeating Missouri in early February and finally helps slow the narrative they struggle against ranked teams with good pitching.

The Noles will face Duke this weekend, who was the No. 1 team by ACC media in the preseason. This win should provide some nice momentum going into a huge series that could impact who wins the ACC regular-season.

The Blue Devils won three of four games against the Noles last year. However, Duke has already lost an ACC series against Clemson, but that game was on the road. The Duke series will start on Friday at 6 p.m. and will air on the ACC Network.