FSU softball: No. 2 Texas shuts out Noles in embarrassing home loss

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 in six innings. It's been the same issue lately, FSU allows teams to build big leads in the first couple of innings, putting incredible pressure on the offense to score. Texas scored two runs in the top of the first and never looked back. They led 6-0 after the third inning and scored four runs in the sixth to make it 10-0. Makenna Reid was the starting pitcher, allowing six earned runs in two innings. She allowed seven hits, two walks, and one strikeout. Ashtyn Danley relieved her and was excellent, allowing zero runs, zero walks, two hits, and three strikeouts.

Allison Royalty continues to struggle, allowing four earned runs on two hits, two walks, and a strikeout in one inning pitched. The FSU offense only had four hits in the game, but hit a few balls hard right at Texas defenders while leaving six runners on base. Freshman, Isa Torres had three of the four hits. The early deficits for FSU against good teams have been a common theme for weeks, and it boils down to a lack of elite pitching and some lapses in the field on defense. The FSU offense isn't getting much from some hitters who have been key for the Noles in previous seasons. Devyn Flaherty is hitting .207, and Kaley Mudge and Jahni Kerr have been hurt early this season. The Noles need to figure out things in a hurry, as they will travel to Pitt for a three-game series against the Panthers. Pitt is a team that's been terrible this season, so it will be a prime opportunity for the Noles to get back on track.