TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Scoring early and often, No. 1 Florida State (16-0) remained undefeated after a pair of run-rule wins on Saturday, defeating Samford (5-10) by a score of 13-0 and wrapping up the day with a 14-2 win against Lipscomb (7-6) in day two of the Unconquered Invitational.
The Seminoles started strong in both games, plating eight runs in the first inning against the Bulldogs and five versus the Bisons. Overall, 47 of Florida State’s 141 runs scored this season have come in the first inning.
Seven different players had at least three RBI over both games on Saturday, including five by Elizabeth Mason and Cassidy Davis. Davis increased her team lead in RBI to 20, and she is one of eight Seminoles to have double-digit RBI totals already in 2019.
The Seminoles have scored at least 13 runs in each of their last four games, marking the second time in program history that FSU has scored double-digit runs in four consecutive games, matching the results from the 2017 season when the Noles earned wins by the score of 12-3 (CSUN), 17-3 (UC Davis), 10-0 (CSUN) and 10-1 (Cal State Fullerton) from March 5-8.
“We are playing some good, cohesive softball right now,” said FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. “We are still growing and learning, but to be able to get the swings off and be in attack mode from the first pitch has been instrumental to our success. There has been good situational hitting, big swings and good baserunnning. There are a lot of positive things happening and we are getting better every time out.”
Game One: No. 1 Florida State 13, Samford 0
The Seminoles brought 12 batters to the plate to break open the game with eight runs in the first inning. Cali Harrod led off with a single and stole second, and after a walk to Carsyn Gordon, Mason put the Noles on the board with an RBI double to right center.
Anna Shelnutt followed with a two-run single to left and Davis made it 5-0 FSU with a solo home run to center. A trio of walks to Dani Morgan, Savannah Parker and Harrod loaded the bases, and a double to left center by Gordon cleared them all for an 8-0 Seminole lead.
Shelnutt hit a solo home run in the second inning and Florida State brought in two more runs in the third on RBI singles by Mason and Deja Bush.
Makinzy Herzog led off the FSU fourth with an infield single, and walks to Gordon and Sydney Sherrill loaded the bases and Mason hit her second double of the game to make it a 13-0 game.
Herzog, Davis and Kara Bilodeau combined for the five-inning shutout as Herzog earned her first collegiate win in the circle, scattering two hits and two walks over 3.0 innings with five strikeouts, setting career highs in all categories. Davis allowed one hit in the fourth inning, while Bilodeau gave up one hit in a scoreless fifth while recording two strikeouts.
Game Two: No. 1 Florida State 14, Lipscomb 2
Lipscomb scored an unearned run in the top of the first on a pair of singles, a fielder’s choice and a Seminole error, but the lead for the Bisons was short-lived, as Florida State came back with five runs in the bottom of the frame.
Harrod opened with a walk, stole second and scored on an RBI single by Sherrill. Mason followed with a single to center and Davis drove in two runs on a single up the middle. Morgan closed out the scoring with a home run to left center, her third of the season.
Lipscomb cut the lead to 5-2 in the top of the third as FSU starting pitcher Kathryn Sandercock allowed a single to Peyton Ward, she moved to second on a groundout and scored on an RBI single by Hannah Devault. Sandercock retired the next three hitters she faced, before being replaced in the circle by Meghan King. Sanderock (7-0) earned the win with 3.2 innings pitched, five hits, two runs, one earned, with zero walks or strikeouts. King pitched the final 1.1 innings to pick up her first save of the season, striking out two.
It marked King’s ninth career save, tying the school record set by Jessica Burroughs (2014-17) and Jessica Nori (2011-14).
Florida State exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the fourth to secure the 14-2 run-rule victory. The first eight batters all reached base before an out was recorded, including singles by Leslie Farris, Herzog, Harrod, Sherrill, Mason and Davis, along with walks to Gordon and Shelnutt. Parker added a single later in the inning and Harrod brought in the final two runs of the game on a double down the left field line.
The Seminoles will close out the Unconquered Invitational on Sunday, February 24 with a game against Samford at 12:30p. Links for live stats and tickets are available on the softball schedule page of Seminoles.com.
Tickets for home games in March and April will go on sale the first day of their respective month. For ticket information, go to www.seminoles.com/tickets.
Throughout 2018-19, the Seminoles will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of women’s intercollegiate athletics at Florida State and there are many events and reunions planned for all women’s sports. Head to www.seminoles.com/50th/ for more information that will be updated throughout the year.
Follow Florida State softball on Twitter (@FSU_Softball) and Instagram (fsusoftball), and like our Facebook page (Facebook.com/FSUsoftball) to keep up to date with everything about Seminole softball.
