RALEIGH, N.C. — The Seminoles used a pair of home runs, including the 78th of her career by Jessie Warren, to carry No. 11 Florida State (44-10, 21-3 ACC) to a 3-0 shutout over NC State (23-30, 5-17 ACC) to complete the series sweep over the Wolfpack on Sunday afternoon.
Meghan King and Kylee Hanson combined to toss a one-hitter against NC State, scattering two walks and posting seven total strikeouts. The Seminole pitching staff only allowed four total hits to NC State over the three-game series.
It marks the fifth conference sweep of the season for the Noles and Florida State has swept 36 of its last 49 ACC series, dating back to 2012.
“Great way to finish today,” said FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. “Meghan pitched great in the circle and we made them work offensively. Jessie is having a special season and career and gave us an early lead which helped keep the pressure on. Good to scrap out a win as it is not easy to sweep a team and gives us some momentum heading into ACCs next weekend.”
Warren continued her power hitting and put the Seminoles on the board with a solo home run in the top of the third inning. She fouled three consecutive pitches off from NC State pitcher Devin Wallace before hitting a home run deep over the wall in right center.
NC State’s Macauley Prickett led off the bottom of the third inning with a single to center, marking the first base hit allowed by the Seminole pitching staff in 12.0 innings. King retired the next three batters to maintain the 1-0 FSU lead.
Zoe Casas made it 2-0 in the top of the fourth with a solo home run to center, her third HR of the season.
Cali Harrod opened the FSU fifth inning with a walk and stole second base for her 29th SB of the season. A groundout moved Harrod to third with two outs in the inning. Wallace attempted to intentionally walk Warren, but her first pitch was well wide of the plate, allowing Harrod to score on the wild pitch to extend the Seminole lead to 3-0.
King (17-6) was replaced in the circle for the sixth inning and had an outstanding start in the circle. She tossed 5.0 scoreless innings with just one hit and two walks allowed, while striking out four. Hanson entered for the sixth inning and retired all six batters she faced for her first save of the season.
Florida State will remain on the road and head to Atlanta for the 2018 ACC Softball Championship on May 9-12. The Seminoles are the No. 1 seed and will play its first game on Thursday, May 10 at 11:00 a.m. against the winner of No. 8-seed Louisville and No. 9-seed Syracuse, who will play on Wednesday afternoon. Complete brackets and ticket information is available at www.theacc.com.
