FPN Series of the Week: FSU vs. Notre Dame
Each week FPN will focus on a game or series of the week. This week we have picked the series matchup between FSU and Notre Dame. The FSU Seminoles are off to an impressive 2017 College season start. They have a current record of 23-1-1 which has been backed up by dominant pitching and offensive numbers. Notre Dame softball is 11-10 on the season with three wins over Top 15 Ranked Opponents. The Irish earned wins over UCLA, Oklahoma, and Michigan in February and have proved they can play with and beat Top Ranked teams.
This weekend FSU and Notre Dame will face off at Florida State in a three-game series beginning Friday at 6:00 pm. The second game will be played on Saturday at 1:00 pm and the series will conclude on Sunday at 12:00 pm. All games will be aired on the ACC Extra Network and live audio/live stats will be available for all three games.
At the Plate
The FSU offense has been producing in every game so far this season. The Seminoles offense has been led by Alex Powers who is batting .479 on the season, she leads the team with 34 hits, 11 doubles, 19 RBI’s, and a slugging percentage of .761. Close behind her in the stats category is Morgan Klaevemann who has a batting average of .413 and a respected 33 hits on the season. The Seminoles currently have six players batting over .300 and the team is hitting .347 as a whole. They have outscored opponents 162-34 this season.
The Fighting Irish offense has been led by Morgan Reed who is batting .439 on the season in 66 at bats, with 29 hits, four doubles and 21 RBI’s. Ali Wester is batting .350 on the season in 80 plate appearances with 28 hits, four doubles and four RBI’s. Notre Dame has a team batting average of .269 with 153 total hits.
In the Circle
FSU’s pitcher Jessica Burroughs has been dominant in the circle so far this season. The redshirt senior is 12-1 on the season with a 0.73 ERA, 115 strikeouts, and a .119 batting average against in 76.2 innings pitched. Meghan King has shared mound time for the Seminoles and has proved she can hold her own. She currently sits 10-0 on the season with a 0.88 ERA, 45 strikeouts, and a .227 batting average against in 63.1 innings pitched.
Rachel Nasland has seen the most time in the circle this season for Notre Dame. Nasland is 5-4 on the season with a 3.02 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched. Katie Beriont (2-4) and Caitlyn Brooks (4-1) have also seen pitching time for the Irish. As a staff, the Irish pitchers combine for a 3.51 ERA.
FPN Analysis and Prediction
This could turn out to be quite the weekend series in Tallahassee, Florida. Notre Dame has proved they can compete with Top Ranked teams this season. Back in February, the Irish beat three Top 15 Ranked opponents. Their challenging schedule thus far this season will have them ready for the matchup and you can expect they will give Florida State all they can handle. Florida States only loss on the season came from Texas A&M back in February. Their tie game occurred due to travel conflict in their 5-5 draw against Michigan. This series will be Florida State’s first true test since February and they will have to bring dominant pitching and offense to outmatch the grit and fight of the Irish this weekend.
Pick: Florida State
