FSU softball: Can Noles get back on track against Pitt?

FSU softball (18-9, 1-2 ACC) lost its second straight game against a top-five opponent Wednesday night when the Texas Longhorns came to Tallahassee and put the stamp on the Noles 10-0. It was an embarrassing loss in front of the home crowd and one that's followed a similar pattern when facing top competition. The Noles will get a reprieve this weekend, although they will be on the road against the Pitt Panthers (8-18, 0-6 ACC). The Panthers have been demolished in ACC play, suffering eight or 10 run-rule losses in five of six conference games. If there were a perfect time and opponent for the Noles to face right now, it would be the Panthers.

I don't want to sound disrespectful because the Noles have some major flaws of their own, but Pitt doesn't do anything well in any of the three phases of the game. Their batting average is .228, and their on-base percentage is .304. They don't strike out a ton to hit so poorly at only 18 percent, but they only have 20 doubles, three triples, and 18 home runs. Pittsburgh's pitching brings a 7.22 ERA, with 75 strikeouts in 157 innings. They have issued more walks than strikeouts, allowed 24 home runs and opposing batters hit .319. Defensively, Pitt brings a .964 fielding percentage into the series. 

Keys to FSU Victory

Listen, I know FSU has struggled lately, but anything less than a sweep against this team is a disappointment. FSU starting pitchers must avoid giving up runs early in the game and putting pressure on the offense to respond to big deficits. They need to throw strikes and avoid walks.

Offensively, FSU needs hitters like Jahni Kerr, Kaley Mudge, and Devyn Flaherty to pick up their slack. Kerr and Mudge have battled injuries early this season, and Flaherty has been a shell of what she's historically. I'm not sure if she's battling an injury or what, but they need these three bats to produce big-time. Patient at-bats, pressure on the basepaths, and good situational hitting are what I'll be looking for this weekend.

Defensively, FSU hasn't played great in this phase lately, making too many mental errors. They've allowed runners to take extra bases in situations or seemed oblivious to what to do when teams bunt against them.

This team CAN be a top team, but it comes down to executing the little things consistently. FSU needs this series badly and will play at 3 p.m. on Friday and will air on the ACCNX channel.