FSU softball: Little things cost Noles in loss against Alabama

FSU softball lost 4-1 against No. 15 Alabama Wednesday night. In the preview, I mentioned Alabama had power, and their pitchers were pretty good, and that was the difference in the game. As it is against most good teams, the game came down to the small details, and Alabama capitalized on their opportunities. The two runs Alabama scored in the top of the first inning came with two outs. Allison Royalty allowed a solo home run, and and double and RBI single. Royalty only pitched two innings, allowing six hits, two walks, and zero strikeouts. Makenna Reid relieved her and got out of a big bases loaded no outs jam in the top of the third. Reid got two of the first two batters out in the top of the sixth before walking a batter and allowing a home run to the next batter.

Alabama scored all four runs with two outs in the game. FSU had several opportunities to score runs despite only getting three hits, and two were by Ashtyn Danley. FSU got its first two runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, but Hallie Wacaser struck out, failing to move the runners to second and third by hitting the ball to the right side. FSU scored its lone run that inning on a wild pitch. FSU got the leadoff batter on second base with no outs, and Devyn Flaherty failed to hit the ball to the right side to move the runner to third. FSU failed to score that inning, and that's two prime examples of poor situational hitting costing the Noles. Alabama pitchers did a solid job changing speeds and mixing in change-ups that kept FSU hitters off balance most of the night. Truthfully, FSU was lucky the game wasn't a blowout. I can't put too much blame on the offense because they have shown up for nearly every game, and FSU pitchers continue to allow runs early in games, which puts continued pressure on the offense to score runs. The Noles will face No. 4 Duke in ACC play on Friday, and they need to figure out things quickly, or their hopes of hosting a regional will be toast.