- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 364,958
- Reaction score
- 43
Following a week in Oregon, No. 10 Florida State softball returns to Tallahassee to begin conference play with a three-game series against Pitt.
The ACC opener starts a challenge stretch for the Seminoles, who travel to No. 21 Alabama and No. 16 Duke next week in a quick turnaround and demanding road trip.
The Seminoles went 4-2 on its west coast swing, beating both Oregon State and Portland State twice and falling to No. 8 Oregon in two games.
"I think we had a really good environment, especially that first game against Oregon, the night game. The cheers bouncing back and forth, the umpire calls going not our way, but I think that we were present game two more than we were game one, which is something that we really wanted to be better at," FSU head coach Lonnia Alameda said.
"Probably need to make some better hitting adjustments against some good pitching, something we want to take into this weekend, being more present and better with the adjustments piece. But really liked how we fought. I mean, we're one swing away in both games. We were one swing away in the Texas A&M game. Can we get over the hump and start putting this pedal to the metal and getting after it from pitch one? So that was our message."
"Bouncing back, beating the teams we needed to beat, Oregon State and Portland State... It was really good trip. It was tiring, but our kids hung in there, and we're gonna have to turn around and go on the road again. So get our minds right and I think they're in a good spot."
In the losses against the Ducks, the Seminoles were shut out twice, the only times that has happened this season. In the wins against the Beavers and Vikings, FSU scored 35 runs in the four games.
Jaysoni Beachum was productive on the road trip, recording nine hits and two home runs in 20 plate appearances, and Kennedy Harp was equally impressive behind her with nine hits and five RBI in 19 plate appearances.
The Seminoles are hitting .359 as a team, which ranks 13th in the nation, with Harp and Isa Torres both hitting over .400. Harp's .494 average leads the team, with Torres's second, hitting .463.
Heading into the weekend matchup with Pitt, Julia Apsel (8-0) leads the pitching staff in strikeouts with 43. It's a balanced pitching staff with Apsel, Ashytn Danley, Jazzy Francik and Annabelle Widra all throwing quality outings this season.
Makenna Reid, who is a Portland native, had her best performance of the season against Portland State. She has been recovering from an injury all season, and Alameda said it was good to see her perform in front of her family.
While Reid wants to try and pitch every inning, Alameda said managing her staff's health takes priority.
"I just really worry about their health. It's really important. As much as she wants to throw out 10 innings right now, the reality is this takes a while to build back up to be stronger and stronger," Alameda said. "I think our whole entire pitching staff wants to throw every single inning, and I love that. But how we manage the pitching staff is going to be important.
"I can attest that the whole team saw how happy Makenna was around her family and how happy she was in those moments. So I think not only what she did in the moment, but just being able to be in the moment, really went a long way for her. So I'm really happy for her and proud that she's able to get after that."
Pitching is a strength for the Seminoles as the team heads into ACC play against Pitt. With a 1.84 team ERA, FSU has the 11th best collective ERA in the country.
Pitt is 10-13 (0-3 ACC) and is coming off being swept by North Carolina last weekend. The Panthers have struggled on the road, going 2-5 away from home.
The Panthers have scored just 91 runs, ranked 173rd in the nation, and have just one batter hitting about .300, Ahmari Braden (.362).
First pitch between FSU and Pitt from the Seminole Softball Complex is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday. The Seminoles will then play a doubleheader on Saturday to avoid the severe weather threat coming to Tallahassee on Sunday.
FSU vs. Pitt - March 14-15
When: Friday, 6 p.m. / Saturday, Game 1, 1 p.m. / Game 2, shortly after game 1 ends
Where: Seminole Softball Complex
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU softball vs. Pitt preview: Seminoles start ACC play at home
Continue reading...
The ACC opener starts a challenge stretch for the Seminoles, who travel to No. 21 Alabama and No. 16 Duke next week in a quick turnaround and demanding road trip.
The Seminoles went 4-2 on its west coast swing, beating both Oregon State and Portland State twice and falling to No. 8 Oregon in two games.
"I think we had a really good environment, especially that first game against Oregon, the night game. The cheers bouncing back and forth, the umpire calls going not our way, but I think that we were present game two more than we were game one, which is something that we really wanted to be better at," FSU head coach Lonnia Alameda said.
"Probably need to make some better hitting adjustments against some good pitching, something we want to take into this weekend, being more present and better with the adjustments piece. But really liked how we fought. I mean, we're one swing away in both games. We were one swing away in the Texas A&M game. Can we get over the hump and start putting this pedal to the metal and getting after it from pitch one? So that was our message."
"Bouncing back, beating the teams we needed to beat, Oregon State and Portland State... It was really good trip. It was tiring, but our kids hung in there, and we're gonna have to turn around and go on the road again. So get our minds right and I think they're in a good spot."
In the losses against the Ducks, the Seminoles were shut out twice, the only times that has happened this season. In the wins against the Beavers and Vikings, FSU scored 35 runs in the four games.
Jaysoni Beachum was productive on the road trip, recording nine hits and two home runs in 20 plate appearances, and Kennedy Harp was equally impressive behind her with nine hits and five RBI in 19 plate appearances.
The Seminoles are hitting .359 as a team, which ranks 13th in the nation, with Harp and Isa Torres both hitting over .400. Harp's .494 average leads the team, with Torres's second, hitting .463.
Heading into the weekend matchup with Pitt, Julia Apsel (8-0) leads the pitching staff in strikeouts with 43. It's a balanced pitching staff with Apsel, Ashytn Danley, Jazzy Francik and Annabelle Widra all throwing quality outings this season.
You must be registered for see images attach
Makenna Reid, who is a Portland native, had her best performance of the season against Portland State. She has been recovering from an injury all season, and Alameda said it was good to see her perform in front of her family.
While Reid wants to try and pitch every inning, Alameda said managing her staff's health takes priority.
"I just really worry about their health. It's really important. As much as she wants to throw out 10 innings right now, the reality is this takes a while to build back up to be stronger and stronger," Alameda said. "I think our whole entire pitching staff wants to throw every single inning, and I love that. But how we manage the pitching staff is going to be important.
"I can attest that the whole team saw how happy Makenna was around her family and how happy she was in those moments. So I think not only what she did in the moment, but just being able to be in the moment, really went a long way for her. So I'm really happy for her and proud that she's able to get after that."
Pitching is a strength for the Seminoles as the team heads into ACC play against Pitt. With a 1.84 team ERA, FSU has the 11th best collective ERA in the country.
Pitt is 10-13 (0-3 ACC) and is coming off being swept by North Carolina last weekend. The Panthers have struggled on the road, going 2-5 away from home.
The Panthers have scored just 91 runs, ranked 173rd in the nation, and have just one batter hitting about .300, Ahmari Braden (.362).
First pitch between FSU and Pitt from the Seminole Softball Complex is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday. The Seminoles will then play a doubleheader on Saturday to avoid the severe weather threat coming to Tallahassee on Sunday.
How to watch FSU softball vs. Pitt
FSU vs. Pitt - March 14-15
When: Friday, 6 p.m. / Saturday, Game 1, 1 p.m. / Game 2, shortly after game 1 ends
Where: Seminole Softball Complex
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU softball vs. Pitt preview: Seminoles start ACC play at home
Continue reading...
