FSU softball offense outlasts No. 7 UCLA for big win in Clearwater Invitational

FSU softball got a huge win on Saturday night when the offense outlasted No. 7 UCLA in an 11-7 win. UCLA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a solo homerun off freshman Bella Dimitrijevic.

However, the FSU offense responded emphatically with three runs in the bottom of the first and four more runs in the bottom of the second for a 7-1 lead. The Bruins responded with one run in the top of the third, but FSU landed another four-run barrage in the bottom frame.

UCLA wouldn’t go away quietly, answering with a four-run fourth inning to close the gap to 11-7.

UCLA threatened in the top of the sixth, but Jazzy Francik got out of the jam. She relieved Dimitrijevic in the top of the fourth. Dimitrijevic allowed four earned runs, five hits, two strikeouts, and no walks. Francik finished the final four innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits, four strikeouts and two walks.

A trio of FSU hitters had three hits. Isa Torres, Marin Heller, and Jaysoni Beachum all had three hits. Torres and Heller had two RBI; Torres had a home run. Beachum had five RBI, including two home runs.

Ashtyn Danley had two hits and two RBI. FSU batters pounded out 14 hits, had only two strikeouts, and three walks.

These freshmen are not playing like freshmen. Although, Bella Dimitrijevic got touched for four earned runs, the experience is invaluable as it'll likely pay dividends later in the season.

It was a big win for the Noles over a top 10 opponent. It sets up a showdown with No. 3 Tennessee in primetime on ESPN on Sunday at 8 p.m.