March 19, 2017
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – No. 1/2 Florida State completed an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) series sweep of the University of Notre Dame softball team on Sunday. The Seminoles utilized a big first inning on their way to a five-inning triumph over the Irish on a sun-soaked day at JoAnne Graf Field.
How It Happened
Karley Wester opened the game with an infield single to shortstop, ultimately moving into scoring position on an Ali Wester sacrifice bunt. Consecutive Notre Dame (12-13, 1-5 ACC) outs left the runner stranded at first base.
Florida State (28-1-1, 9-0 ACC) struck for 11 runs in the top of the first inning, with the final nine unearned. The Seminoles chipped in three runs in the bottom half of the second inning on three base hits.
Morgan Reed led off the Notre Dame top of the fourth inning with a double off the wall in left center field, later taking third base on a passed ball. Caitlyn Brooks reached by way of a five-pitch walk to keep the inning rolling. A strikeout looking and a lineout double play stemmed the Irish tide.
After Florida State scored an addition two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Notre Dame got its offense working in the top of the fifth. Kimmy Sullivan reached on an infield single to first base with two outs, moving to second on a Karley Wester base hit behind the bag at second. Ali Wester artfully snuck an infield single down the first base line to load the bases. Reed tagged a 2-2 pitch hard to left field, but the drive was corralled for the final out.
Up Next
The Irish are scheduled to host Michigan State on March 22 in the 2017 home opener at Melissa Cook Stadium. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, with live coverage available on ACC Network Extra.