FSU softball looks to continue winning streak hosting McNeese State for two games

FSU softball (24-9, 7-2 ACC) completed its second ACC sweep in as many weeks last weekend and will host two games against McNeese State (23-13, 8-1 Southland) before traveling to play the Louisville Cardinals in ACC play. McNeese State is the winner of eight straight games and has played some top teams like Oklahoma and LSU this season. Four of their nine losses came against those teams, and two of those four losses were by one run. I say that to say they won't come to Tallahassee and lay down for two games. They hit .259 as a team, and one player, Corine Poncho, accounts for 13 of their 26 home runs. They have a .362 on-base percentage and have swiped 74 of 87 stolen base attempts. McNeese State pitchers bring a 2.36 ERA and have 130 strikeouts in 240.2 innings. Opposing batters hit .254, and they have allowed 19 home runs. Defensively, they bring a decent .968 fielding percentage into the two-game series.

It's a weird week with five games, so we'll likely see a few FSU pitchers in the series. I would expect Allison Royalty to play a role since she didn't pitch against NC State last weekend(unless she's not healthy). FSU batters should fair well against McNeese State pitching, and the FSU defense has been solid lately. When I compare this FSU team to last year's, the biggest difference is the pitching by far. The offense and defense are better compared to last year at this point. I wrote how the pitching staff had improved immensely by not issuing a gazillion walks and staying consistently in the strike zone against NC State. If they do that against McNeese State, they should be fine. Both games will start at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and will air on the ACC Network.