The top-seeded FSU Seminoles are set to play the Stanford Cardinal in the semifinals of the ACC Softball Tournament on Friday at Palmer Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is nearly time for the game to start, with the winner advancing to the championship game and the loser going home.
Both teams are pushing for a better seed in the coming NCAA Tournament, and this gives them each a chance to earn another quality win in a neutral setting. They each played in a one-run game on Thursday, with FSU beating the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2-1 and Stanford walking off the Louisville Cardinals in extra innings.
This is their second meeting this year, with Stanford sweeping them in the regular season, FSU’s only ACC losses this season. The Seminoles (47-8, 21-3 ACC) have gone 11-1 since then as they look to enter the postseason hot. While the offense struggled against Georgia Tech, they showcased their pitching and defense.
Ashtyn Danley and Jazzy Francik combined to allow one run on three hits and a walk, striking out four batters, giving the offense time to take the lead. The offense had chances to score several more runs, but went 1-8 with runners on and 1-7 with runners in scoring positions, stranding seven runners.
Watch FSU vs. Stanford live on ACC Network
Follow along for live updates between FSU and Stanford in the semifinals of the ACC Softball Tournament.
Ashtyn Danley drives in another run for FSU softball
In just the second inning of the game, Ashtyn Danley already has her second RBI hit of the game, driving in Isa Torres with a two-out single in the second inning. They are now up 5-0 on Stanford after Jaysoni Beachum drove in Makenna Sturgis with a groundout, who started the rally with a single before advancing to third on a single by Torres.
The Seminoles lead 5-0 after two innings and have been in complete control. They already have four hits and two walks, and have used their speed to help take several extra bases.
FSU softball benefits from another Stanford mistake
Stanford has played some sloppy softball to start the game, and that continued in the top of the second. Emily Jones left first before Bella Demitrijević released the ball for the pitch and was called out, ending the top of the inning and letting FSU take a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the second inning.
Demitrijević has looked sharp to start the game, walking one batter and allowing one single. She has thrown 25 pitches, with 15 strikes for three strikeouts.
FSU softball leads Stanford 3-0 after the first inning
FSU had an excellent first inning and is up 3-0. Ashtyn Danley’s double was their only hit, but two walks, a wild pitch, and an error allowed them to take the early lead. It was her 15th of the season and drove in Isa Torres.
Bella Demitrijević had a solid inning to start the game, working around a one-out walk with two strikeouts to allow the offense to take the early lead.
FSU scored another run thanks to a Stanford error
Stanford had a chance to get Ashtn Danley out on the bases with a pickle between third and home after Anna Hinde hit a grounder to third and Danley attempted to score. The Cardinal failed to execute, and a bad throw allowed Danley to score, with Hinde reaching second.
The Seminoles are now up 3-0 with just one hit thanks to a pair of walks, a wild pitch, and the error. Stanford is still looking for its first out of the game.
Ashtyn Danley doubles to give FSU softball the lead vs. Stanford
The FSU Seminoles have jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before Stanford can even retire a batter. Isa Torres and Jaysoni Beachum each worked a walk to start the innings, forcing a meeting in the circle. Ashtyn Danley made them pay for the free passes, hitting a double to left center, scoring Torres and getting Beachum to third.
Beachum scored just a few pitches later on a passed ball, giving them a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
FSU’s Bella Demitrijević is off to a great start
FSU head coach Lonni Alameda started freshman Bella Demitrijević, and she showed why in the first, striking out two batters and getting a weak grounder. She did walk Stanford star Taryn Kern, but responded well.
FSU softball vs. Stanford pitching matchup
The Seminoles are starting freshman Bella Demitrijević, who pitched twice against Stanford during the regular season. The freshman allowed four runs in 3.2 innings on five hits and five walks, failing to get an out in her second appearance.
Stanford is countering with junior Alyssa Houston, who has a 2.49 ERA in 56.1 innings. She pitched in all three games during their series in the regular series, allowing three runs in 5.0 innings. She had three hits and three walks off her, striking out one time.
FSU’s starting lineup
The position players are all the same, but the Seminoles are starting freshman Bella Demitrijević in the circle. She has a 4.51 ERA in 68.1 innings, and this will be her 15th start of the year.
What channel is FSU softball vs. Stanford on today?
The game between FSU and Stanford will be broadcast live on the ACC Network and streamed live on ESPN+. Mark Neely and Carol Bruggeman will call the game from Palmer Park in Charlottesville, Virginia.
FSU softball vs. Stanford time today
The game between FSU and Stanford is set to start at 1 p.m. ET. FSU is 16-6 away from home this season and 40-7 in the ACC Tournament under head coach Lonni Alameda.
FSU Softball vs. Stanford Prediction
FSU 5, Stanford 4: The Seminoles are looking for revenge after getting swept in the regular season, and I’m expecting them to get it done, but it won’t be easy. These are two of the best teams in the ACC and FSU will need to be at its best to win.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU softball vs Stanford: Live updates from the ACC Tournament
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
