FSU softball: Major takeaways from Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational

FSU pitching must improve expeditiously

FSU pitching has been awful, aside from Allison Royalty. Makenna Reid has been a shell of herself compared to last year. She averages over a walk per inning and nearly has more walks than strikeouts. She has allowed more hits than innings pitched, and four of those hits have been home runs. She was supposed to be the staff ace after a stellar freshman season. However, it hasn't been there as she has struggled to find the strike zone.

If FSU could get Reid on track, with Royalty showing the consistency she's shown in most of her appearances, that would change everything. Ashtyn Danley was supposed to have a part on the mound this season, but she's a freshman. I believe Reid's biggest issue is putting too much pressure on herself and lacking confidence. Her secondary issue is the inability to throw strikes with anything off-speed. We've at least seen Danley show she can execute throwing a change-up for a strike in a game to get batters out. 

Overall Thoughts 

FSU softball won't be back into action until Thursday in the Dugout Club Classic. They will play FIU, Charleston Southern, and Nicholls on their home field before traveling to Oregon for the Janes Sanders Classic. The Dugout Club Classic will be another opportunity for the players who struggle to continue working their issues out and, hopefully, build confidence.