FSU softball: 3 keys to winning series against Boston College

FSU softball (33-10, 12-3 ACC) will have an opportunity to continue its winning ways when they travel to Boston College for a three-game series in ACC play. The Noles have won four consecutive ACC series since losing two of three against Duke. The Noles demolished Alabama State in two midweek games and swept Notre Dame last weekend. Boston College (25-16, 5-10 ACC) hasn't been good in ACC play. They got swept by Virginia Tech last week and lost two of three against a bad Pittsburgh team the week prior.

They are not a good hitting team, batting .251 with 20 home runs and a .329 on-base percentage. They do a solid job putting the ball in play, only striking out in 18.5 percent of their at-bats. Ironically, they have two solid pitchers that carry the bulk of their load. They have ERAs of 2.36 and 2.50, respectively. They're usually around the plate and opposing batters have a .205 average between the two. Defensively, Boston College brings a .967 fielding percentage into the contest.

3 Keys To Beating Boston College

Boston College isn't much of a threat offensively, and it'll be up to FSU pitching to make it easier or harder on themselves. Allison Royalty returned to the lineup this week after missing several weeks with an injury. She'll join Makenna Reid and Ashtyn Danley in the circle. The two latter have been much more consistent lately, and hopefully, Royalty can find the form she had in the first few weeks of this season.

Offensively, Boston College pitchers will be around the zone and FSU will need players to step up. Michaela Edenfield will be out again, but FSU has a solid nucleus of young players, and veterans Kaley Mudge and Devyn Flaherty seem to be finding themselves after rough starts to the season. Boston College isn't great defensively, so putting the ball in play will put pressure on them, and chaos on the bases is where FSU excels.

Defensively, it's simple. Make the routine plays when the pitchers do their job. FSU made two errors with the first two batters against Alabama State in game one earlier this week. They can't afford that against better competition, but the Noles have been solid for the most part.

Friday's game will begin at 4 p.m. and will air on the ACCNX channel.