After being swept by Stanford during the regular season, Florida State softball roared back with a powerful offense and clutch pitching, cruising past the Cardinal 9-0 in the ACC Tournament semifinals to secure a spot in the championship game.
The Seminoles’ lineup featured: SS – Isa Torres (JR), 3B – Jaysoni Beachum (JR), LF – Ashtyn Danley (JR), C – Anna Hinde (FR), RF – Bella Ruggiero (R FR), CF – Kennedy Harp (JR), DP – Shelby McKenzie (SO), 1B – Hayley Griggs (FR), 2B – Makenna Sturgis (FR), and RHP – Bella Dimitrijevic (FR).
Dimitrijevic set the tone early, allowing only one base runner in the first inning on a walk, which was quickly stranded after a strikeout and groundout. In the top of the second, FSU’s offense ignited against Stanford starter Alyssa Houston. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Ashtyn Danley, whose double drove in the first run. A wild pitch then brought home the second run. With a runner on third and no outs, Anna Hinde reached on a fielder’s choice that forced a play at home; an error on the throw allowed Danley to score, making it 3-0.
Still facing Houston, one-out singles from Makenna Sturgis and Isa Torres put runners in scoring position. Jaysoni Beachum’s groundout extended the lead, and Danley followed with another single to push the score to 5-0.
Dimitrijevic retired the side in order in the third, and FSU padded its lead in the fourth. Sturgis singled off reliever Anna Brewer, who then gave up two more singles, including an RBI base hit from Beachum to make it 6-0. Stanford turned to Zoe Prystajko, but Danley greeted her with an RBI double, extending her hitting streak. A sacrifice fly and a fielder’s choice brought the Seminoles to 9-0, putting them in run-rule territory.
After four shutout innings, Dimitrijevic was replaced in the circle by Danley for the final frame. Danley recorded the first two outs before a double and a hit batter put two runners on. She needed just one pitch to secure the final out, sealing the run-rule victory and propelling Florida State into the ACC Tournament title game.
