News Summary
The Florida State University Seminoles’ softball team advances to the ACC Tournament Championship after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Duke. With this win, the Seminoles improve their record to 46-8 and showcase their resilience after a previous postseason loss to Duke. The game highlighted stellar pitching performances and critical plays, including a solo home run by Michaela Edenfield. Florida State aims for their 20th ACC Championship title in the upcoming match against either Clemson or Virginia Tech.
Brighton, Massachusetts – The Florida State Seminoles’ softball team has secured a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament Championship following a close 3-2 victory over Duke on Friday morning. This win boosts the Seminoles’ record to 46 wins against just 8 losses as they head into the championship matchup scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
The game saw FSU facing off against Duke in a rematch, having previously lost to the Blue Devils in the postseason last year. The stakes were high, and the Seminoles delivered a strong performance against a familiar opponent to advance in the tournament.
Julia Apsel started on the mound for the Seminoles, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing one unearned run. Jazzy Francik came in as the relief pitcher and clinched her 10th win of the season, throwing four solid innings and giving up just one unearned run. Ashtyn Danley took over in the tense final inning, earning her fourth save of the season by managing to secure the final out with two runners in scoring position.
Both teams entered the game with momentum from their respective semifinal victories; FSU had decisively defeated Georgia Tech 8-0, while Duke overcame Stanford with a score of 7-0 in their semifinal matchup. The game on Friday, initially set for 1 p.m., had been rescheduled to 10 a.m. due to adverse weather conditions, adding an extra layer of challenge for both teams.
Throughout the game, FSU initially struggled to find their footing as they fell behind in the third inning. A fielding error committed by FSU’s Krystina Hartley allowed Duke to take a 1-0 lead, placing pressure on the Seminoles. However, they quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of errors from Duke’s defense to tie the game.
The turning point came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Michaela Edenfield hit a solo home run, extending FSU’s lead to 3-1. Despite Duke’s attempts to stage a comeback in the seventh inning, scoring another run and putting the tying run on base, Danley remained composed and closed out the game with a crucial pop-out, solidifying the Seminoles’ victory.
Florida State is now poised to compete for their 20th ACC Tournament Championship. The team has been dominant in recent years, having claimed eight championships out of the last ten tournaments. Their upcoming opponent will either be Clemson or Virginia Tech, who are also competing in the other semifinal match-up.
This latest victory exemplifies the Seminoles’ resilience and skill, positioning them strongly as they prepare to chase another title. FSU has set high expectations, indicating a readiness to take on any challenge in their quest for continued success in collegiate softball.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: FSU Softball Faces Duke in ACC Tournament
- FSU Wire: FSU Softball vs. Duke in ACC Semifinals
- Tomahawk Nation: FSU Softball Secures Spot in Tournament Finale
- 247 Sports: FSU Softball Duke Game Recap
- Palm Beach Post: FSU Softball Faces Georgia Tech in ACC Tournament
