No. 1 Seminoles extend winning streak to 18 games
Matching the 10th-longest winning streak in program history, No. 1 Florida State (12-0) won its 18th consecutive game on Wednesday night with a 4-1 win over South Alabama (4-5) at JoAnne Graf Field.
“I think we could have been a bit better tonight with attacking the ball and some team at bats, but those are all learning lessons,” said FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. “It’s a long season, and as long as we have things to improve on and are still getting the W in the end, that’s pretty good.”
Cali Harrod led off the FSU first inning with a triple to right center and later scored on an RBI single by Carsyn Gordon. Florida State has scored in the first inning in eight of its 12 games played this season, and have had baserunners in the first inning in all 12 games.
South Alabama threatened in the top of the second inning as the Jaguars got the first two batters on base via a hit-by-pitch and a fielder’s choice. FSU starting pitcher Kathryn Sandercock got out of the inning by retiring the next three hitters on groundouts.
The Seminoles loaded the bases in the bottom of the second inning on walks to Morgan Noah, Harrod and Sydney Sherrill, but a strikeout left them all on base.
Sandercock was replaced in the circle for the top of the fourth by Meghan King. The freshman did not allow a hit or a run in her 3.0 innings with one walk and one strikeout.
King retired the first six batters she faced, including two strikeouts, before allowing the first South Alabama hit of the game on a leadoff double in the top of the sixth inning. A one-out RBI double by Kamdyn Kvistad cut the Seminole lead to 2-1, but King got out of the inning without further damage after a pop out and a strikeout.
Noah led off the Seminoles sixth inning with a walk and stole second, her second SB of the game, followed by a walk by Harrod and a one-out single by Sherrill to load the bases. Anna Shelnutt extended the Seminole lead with a sacrifice fly to left, and Zoe Casas lined an RBI single through the right side to make it a 4-1 game. The single extended Casas’ hitting streak to 13 games.
After a strikeout by King to start the South Alabama seventh inning, Davis finished the game in the circle for the Noles with a groundout and a pop out.
King improved to 6-0 on the season, allowing one run on two hits with zero walks and five strikeouts over 3.1 innings.
The Seminoles host Elon, Lipscomb and Samford in the Unconquered Invitational this weekend.
Single-game tickets for all February games are on sale now, while tickets for 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.