FSU softball (29-5, 6-0 ACC) made a statement in its three-game series sweep on the road against the Duke Blue Devils.
Duke was the media preseason favorite in January, but I questioned that back then:
Wrote this when media picked Duke as the favorite in January…lol. pic.twitter.com/h9cn14els3
— Kelvin Hunt (@khchopchat) March 22, 2025
It is the fourth consecutive road win over ranked opponents, with FSU knocking off Alabama early in the midweek. FSU struggled on the road against Oregon during their West Coast stint a few weeks ago.
Alabama and Duke are not elite teams, which is why they don't have a ranking inside the top 10 or better.
The pitching has been a bright spot for the Noles, even against top-10-ranked opponents. It has been the lack of offense that's doomed the Noles in most of those matchups. FSU has quietly won nine straight games, and the offense has scored eight or more runs in seven.
FSU only allowed two runs against Alabama and shut Duke's offense down for the majority of the innings played, except for the debacle in the second game once Ashtyn Danley exited the game with FSU leading 11-1.
The pitching is as advertised, but it was the offense against Duke that I'm here to give credit. FSU scored 33 runs in the three-game series. FSU got production from most of its top hitters in the lineup.
Isa Torres, Jaysoni Beachum, Kennedy Harp, and Michaela Edenfield have been murderer's row, with no one from that group hitting below .393. One of the biggest issues against good teams has been the unproductive second part of the batting order.
One of the biggest differences over the past four games has been the emergence of players like Katie Dack, Jahni Kerr, and Hallie Wacaser. Dack had six RBI against Duke. Kerr went 5-10 with four RBI. Wacaser had five RBI and went 5-10. Also, Angelee Bueno went 3-6 coming off the bench and could be a potential option at first base with Amaya Ross's defensive woes.
Duke's pitching isn't near where it was last year, but it's a solid staff. Alabama's pitching is probably better, but the offense looks like they've found some life in the bottom of the lineup to take some pressure off the top half. FSU plays Stetson on Tuesday and hosts NC State this weekend. The latter isn't anything special, and FSU should win that series. However, the next real test for the offense and defense will be against the No. 4 Florida Gators on Wednesday, April 2nd.