Florida State softball faced off against Mercer and College of Charleston on the final day of the Dugout Club Classic. The previous day, the Seminoles had dominated both teams, securing run-rule victories over the Bears and Cougars.
Game One: FSU vs. Mercer
Makenna Reid started the game for FSU, marking her fourth start of the season. An error allowed Mercer’s leadoff hitter to reach base, and a sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position. With one out, Tori Hedgecock’s single brought in the first run, giving Mercer a 1-0 lead.
FSU responded in their half of the inning with an exciting play. Isa Torres led off with a triple off Mercer’s Gabby Ellis. Jaysoni Beachum then tied the game with an RBI groundout, scoring Torres. Kennedy Harp followed with a second triple in the inning, and she came home on a fielder’s choice, allowing Michaela Edenfield to remain safe at first.
Mercer found themselves in a tough spot as the bases were loaded following an RBI single from Katie Dack, an error, and a walk. The Bears continued to struggle, walking another batter to bring in another run.
With two outs and the bases still loaded, Isa Torres stepped up to the plate and delivered a two-run single. Jaysoni Beachum followed with a double, driving in two more runs. Kennedy Harp then added another RBI to the tally, prompting Mercer to make a pitching change, bringing in Grace Roark to replace Gabby Ellis. Roark faced a tough challenge, giving up three more RBIs as FSU piled on the runs. By the time the inning ended, FSU had scored twelve runs, taking a commanding lead to begin the game.
In the second inning, FSU quickly loaded the bases after Ashtyn Danley, Annabelle Widra, and Isa Torres all reached safely. RBI singles from Jaysoni Beachum and Michaela Edenfield brought in more runs, and by the time the inning ended, FSU held a commanding 15-1 lead.
After two innings of work and allowing just one run, Makenna Reid’s day came to an end, and Ashtyn Danley took over in the circle. Danley had a strong third inning, allowing only a single while keeping Mercer scoreless.
In the fourth inning, Katheryn Rearely, who had come in to pitch in the third, returned to the mound. With Madi Frey on base and one out, Kennedy Harp hit her second triple of the game, bringing the score to 16-1. Michaela Edenfield then followed up with a two-run homer, further extending FSU’s lead.
Another homerun by Hallie Wacaser extended FSU’s lead to 19-1, and Mercer managed to escape the inning without allowing a 20th run. Danley returned to the circle in the fifth to close out the game, securing the victory and another run-rule win for the Seminoles.
Game Two: FSU 8-0 College of Charleston
Mimi Gooden started on the mound for FSU in game two against the College of Charleston. However, after just a few pitches, the umpires called an illegal pitch on Gooden, and she was quickly replaced by Julia Apsel. Apsel came in mid-batter, allowing a bunt that resulted in a safe runner at first. Despite the early drama, Apsel worked through the situation, finishing the inning with two strikeouts.
Campbell Schaen took the mound for the Cougars, and her outing started with a walk to Isa Torres. Jaysoni Beachum followed with a single, and a groundout allowed FSU to break the tie and take a 1-0 lead.
FSU then extended their advantage with a double steal, followed by RBIs from Shelby McKenzie, Jahni Kerr, and Annie Potter, pushing the Seminoles’ lead to 5-0.
In the bottom of the third, Michaela Edenfield led off with a double, and McKenzie drove her in with a single, adding another run to the Seminoles’ growing lead.
Through four innings, Julia Apsel was dominant in the circle, recording 9 strikeouts and allowing just two hits. Meanwhile, her offense went back to work in the top of the fifth. Isa Torres reached first on a fielder’s choice, and then Jaysoni Beachum blasted her fifth homerun of the year, adding to FSU’s lead.
Following Beachum’s homerun, College of Charleston made a pitching change, bringing in Kendall Thackston. Thackston allowed a walk to Kennedy Harp and a single to Michaela Edenfield but managed to escape without further damage.
After four solid innings of work, Julia Apsel’s day came to an end, and Jazzy Francik entered in relief. With an 8-0 lead, Francik needed just three outs to secure another run-rule victory for FSU. The freshman delivered, recording a strikeout and a pair of ground balls to close out the game, finishing the weekend with a perfect 5-0 record.
Up Next:
FSU will travel to Jacksonville for a doubleheader against Jacksonville and UNF on Wednesday, March 5th.
