FSU softball: 3 keys to defeating Auburn Tigers and advancing to Super Regionals

FSU softball (45-14, 19-5 ACC) defeated the UCF Knights Saturday night to move to the Tallahassee Regional Finals. The Noles had to wait to see who their opponent would be, and the Auburn Tigers (29-20-1, 9-15 SEC) emerged from the loser's bracket, defeating Chattanooga and avenging a previous loss against UCF to earn their spot against the Noles. As the record indicates, Auburn wasn't a great team this season, and they were 5-8 away from their home field.

The Tigers batted .253, with 44 home runs and a .364 on-base percentage. They strike out 22.4 percent of their at-bats. Pitching-wise, the Tigers have one pitcher (Maddie Penta) who carries most of the load but has a 2.54 ERA as a staff overall. Penta pitched 15 innings against Chattanooga and UCF on Saturday. Auburn will likely have to rely on other arms against FSU softball at some point. Defensively, Auburn has a .977 field percentage.

3 Keys to Victory

FSU is at an advantage. They have the fresher pitching and better offense, and they only need one win, and Auburn has to beat FSU twice. The FSU pitching staff needs to continue doing what it's been doing, and that's staying in the strike zone and allowing its defense to make routine plays. They must avoid walking batters at all cost.

FSU batters need to show patience at the plate and avoid trying to pull every pitch. They are at their best when driving the ball up the middle and to right-centerfield. FSU has had some poor at-bats in regionals, but Sunday should be an opportunity to shine. They must take advantage when situational hitting opportunities arise. 

Auburn has to win two games, but FSU can likely put them away early if they jump on them early as they did against UCF Saturday. An early deficit would take the wind out of their sails and stomp out any perceived confidence that may grow if Auburn's in the game late.

The game will begin on Sunday at 6 p.m. and will air on the ACC Network.