PITTSBURGH, PA. (Seminoles.com) – Florida State’s sixth-placed softball team (38-9-1) took two wins against Pittsburgh (17-29) at Vartabedian Field on Saturday. The Seminoles made it 5-4 in Game 1 before playing 14-0 in Game 2.
The four-game series ends at 10 a.m. on Sunday
“I’m very happy about our fight today,” said FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. “From first to last double header spot, I thought we put it together as a team today, and it was really good to see we came back after a tough game last night because we knew Pitt was fighting to get into the ACC Tournament. It was a team day. “
After going 5-4 in the seventh inning in Game 1, the Seminoles released the bats in Game 2 and put together 14 runs with 12 hits, including two home runs from newcomer Kalei Harding.
Harding hit their fourth and fifth wins of the season and recorded their second multi-home run game of the year.
“It was nice to make Kalei swing,” added Alameda. “It’s a long season as a freshman and if you try to figure it out, you’re usually in your sophomore year at this point to separate that and strive for it and swing freely.”
Redshirt freshman Devyn Flaherty paced up and down, combining five hits and five RBIs in eight bats.
Redshirt junior Syndey Sherrill and Courtney Senas are sixth on the FSU’s RBI list with 158, after driving Redshirt newcomer Kaley Mudge in the second inning of the second game.
Redshirt junior Danielle Watson (8-1) took her first shutout win of the season in Game 2 with 3.2 innings, knocking out seven of the 14 batters she faced.
Game 1 – Florida State 5, Pitt 4
Redshirt senior Caylan Arnold hit 21 batters in five innings to hit eight. Arnold gave up three hits and three runs, all earned and went three batters.
Redshirt senior Dani Morgan led the third inning with a single in the middle and was sacrificed to second place. Morgan moved up to third place after Sherrill dropped to first place. Harding and Redshirt elderly Cassidy Davis took two walks for elderly Elizabeth Mason.
With the 3-1, Mason scored a hard-hit single from the pitcher’s glove and drove in two to advance 2-0.
Davis hit from second place after Flaherty sent an RBI single to left field to make the 3-0.
After four consecutive swinging strikeouts, the Panthers shortened the lead after a two-part home run with two outs to one.
With two runners in the fifth inning, Flaherty stole third and Redshirt senior Anna Shelnutt took second place with Redshirt runner-up Josie Muffley on her plate. She drove in the race to extend the lead to 4-2.
The sophomore red shirt, Kathryn Sandercock, came into play in the sixth inning after Arnold took a run-up walk.
A mistake installed another runner for the Panthers before a 2 RBI double right tied the game.
Flaherty stepped out on the plate with one and hit a double in the middle. Shelnutt came through with an RBI single to the left when Flaherty scored from second to 5-4.
Sandercock (21-1) stepped into the circle and knocked out the last three batters to get their 21st win of the season.
Game 2 – Florida State 14, Pitt 0
With the bases loaded in the opening frame, Flaherty hit a 2RBI double in the middle and brought the Noles 2-0 in front.
The Seminoles added three runs in the second inning, all with two outs. Mudge hit the plate two-on-two and hit a double before Sherrill delivered an RBI single to the right field.
Mudge finished the game with four bats, three hits, and an RBI.
“I just think there were some really good team bats today,” added Alameda. “Kaley Mudge comes in and does some great things. It’s nice to see them get free and have fun. “
Harding shattered their fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot, and extended the lead to 5-0.
The FSU added two more in the third. Davis started with a single and newcomer D’Aun Riggs stepped in as a prize runner. Riggs stole the second, their eighth goal of the season.
Shelnutt hit a single to the right, pushing Riggs into third place. Riggs defeated the game on the plate when Muffley made an outfield pick and finished 6-0.
Shelnutt crossed home plate with an RBI sack to Morgan’s right to make it 7-0.
The FSU kept the bats hot in the fourth run and scored six runs.
With the bases loaded, Flaherty delivered a 2 RBI double and Riggs added another thanks to a throwing error (9-0). After a pitching change from Pitt, Redshirt newcomer Kaia LoPreste scored an RBI double.
LoPresete hit Saabye on a sac-fly from freshman Carson and Mudge added an RBI double to make it 13-0.
Harding added a solo shot at the top of the fifth, extending the lead to 14-0.
Emma Wilson started the game for Watson in the fourth inning, working 1.1 innings and hitting one after facing six batters.
Links for broadcast and live stats can be found on the softball schedule page on Seminoles.com.
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