College Softball News

FSU Posts Pair Of Shutouts At Renegade Classic

(Photo Courtesy of Florida State Athletics)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The No. 12 Florida State softball team executed in all phases of the game on Saturday as the Seminoles recorded mercy-rule shutouts against North Dakota State, 9-0 (5), and Southern Miss, 11-0 (5). Lacey Waldrop and Bailey Schinella combined to no-hit the Bison in the early game, while home runs by Maddie O’Brien and Briana Hamilton paced the `Noles against the Eagles. It was the 12th no-hitter during head coach Lonni Alameda’s time at Florida State and first since March 13, 2013.

“Lacey did great today,” said head coach Lonni Alameda. “I think the more information we get, and the more we play people, they put together a game plan and the pitching staff does a really good job of coming in and hitting their spots. Very proud of them.”

Waldrop showed why she is a member of the 2014 USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List by retiring the first three batters she faced on only three pitches. The Chester, Va., native would continue to work ahead in counts and stymie the Bison offense by recording four strikeouts in her 4.0 innings of work. She only allowed two baserunners via walks in the second and fourth innings. Waldrop moved to 4-1 and now has a 0.72 ERA on the season.

The `Noles got on the board early in the first with four runs highlighted by a two-RBI double off the wall in centerfield by O’Brien, an RBI single by Hamilton and a bases loaded walk to Stephanie Hartness.

Florida State brought 10 batters to the plate in the opening frame and nearly matched it in the second when nine Seminoles took to the batter’s box as FSU opened it up to a 9-0 lead after two innings. A pair of walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases for a two-RBI single over the head of the first baseman by freshman Ellie Cooper to make it 6-0 and a pinch-hit three-RBI double by Schinella made it 9-0 after two. Cooper ended the day perfect from the plate, batting 3-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI.

Schinella would come in to pitch the fifth for the Seminoles and threw a total of 14 pitches to close out the game and complete the combined no-hitter for FSU.

Against Southern Miss, the `Noles opened the scoring with three runs in the first. It marked the seventh time this season that Florida State has scored in the first inning. The inning unfolded much like the first game, except O’Brien’s shot cleared the fence for a two-run home run. It was her fifth of the season and 23rd of her career. She is now tied for fifth on the all-time home runs list with Ashley Stager (2008-11). Two batters later, Hamilton’s shot to deep left made it 3-0 after the first.

The `Noles would pour it on in the third inning, plating six runs behind three walks, two singles, a sac fly and two Golden Eagle errors. Celeste Gomez had an infield RBI single during the rally and ended the game 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Seminole starter Burroughs picked up where Waldrop left off. The redshirt freshman didn’t give up a hit until the third when a comebacker to the circle was knocked down by Burroughs but she was unable to get the batter at first. It ended a stretch of 12.1 innings where Florida State pitchers hadn’t given up a hit. Burroughs (4-0) finished with 3.2 innings with five strikeouts and allowed just two hits and two walks in the win.

FSU would push across two more runs in the fourth as Schinella ripped another pinch-hit double and singles by Gomez and Alex Kossoff made it 11-0 Florida State. Nori came in to pitch a perfect final 1.1 innings against the Golden Eagles, striking out one.

The Seminoles advanced to 8-1 on the season and will close out the Renegade Classic with two games on Sunday as Florida State plays USM at 12:30 p.m. and NDSU at 3:00 p.m.

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