The No. 5 FSU softball team is set to play the No. 2 Tennessee Lady Vols in its final game at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Florida, on Sunday. The Seminoles are 2-1 so far, picking up wins over FAU and No. 6 UCLA.
They improved to 8-1 overall on Saturday night with an 11-7 win over the Bruins, thanks to some phenomenal hitting from Jaysoni Beachum and the rest of the top of the order. FSU’s star third baseman went 2 for 3 with two home runs and five RBI.
FSU’s offense will be tested by Tennessee’s pitchers, who have allowed just three runs in their seven games this season. They are holding opponents to a .115 batting average and have struckout 66 batters to just 21 hits and 18 walks. The Seminoles are hitting .355 entering the game and are averaging 7.3 runs per game.
FSU Wire will provide live game updates between FSU and Tennessee softball on Sunday below.
Tennessee 7, FSU 1: Marlee Gaskell keeping FSU in it
Gaskell has settled in for FSU and has not allowed a run since the third inning. The offense will need to take advantage of her keeping it a 7-1 game.
Tennessee 7, FSU 1: Seminoles running out of time
FSU was unable to get anything going in the fifth inning. The Seminoles are running out of outs and have not had a hit since the second inning.
End 4: Tennessee 7, FSU 1
The Lady Vols and pitcher Karlyn Pickens are starting to cruise, retiring FSU in order in the fourth inning. FSU has yet to get a hit off Pickens
End 3: Tennessee 7, FSU 1
FSU had a chance to get some runs back after Jaysoni Beachum drew a leadoff walk and Anna Hinde reached to put two on with one out, but they were both stranded as Hayley Griggs flew out and Makenna Sturgis lined out. FSU is 1 for 11 with runners on.
Tennessee 7, FSU 1: Lady Vols pulling away
Marlee Gaskell replaced Makenna Reid in the circle for the Seminoles and was quickly in trouble as the Lady Vols scored four runs on three singles, two walks, and a hit batter.
Marlee Gaskell replaces Makenna Reid
Lonni Alameda is turning to freshman pitcher Marlee Gaskell. Reid walked the leadoff batter in the third inning before getting one out.
Tennessee 3, FSU 1: Karlyn Pickens gets out of it
The Seminoles were unable to cut into the lead any further as Marin Heller struckout to end the inning and leave the bases loaded. FSU is 1 for 7 with runners through the first two innings.
Tennessee 3, FSU 1: Seminoles chipping away
Florida State is on the board as Isa Torres was hit by a pitch to drive in a run with two outs and force a pitching change. The Lady Vols are turning to ace Karlyn Pickens, one of the best pitchers in the country.
Tennessee 3, FSU 0: Seminoles survive mistake
Tennessee started the second inning with a walk, but it never should have happened, as Makenna Reid only threw three balls when the batter took first base. It did not prove costly as she retired the next three batters to keep it a 3-0 game.
End 1: Tennessee 3, FSU 0
Isa Torres started the inning with a single, but that was all the Seminoles managed as the next three batters struckout to strand her at second.
Tennessee 3, FSU 0: Lady Vols take early lead
The Seminoles will once again be playing from behind after Ella Dodge hit a three-run homer in the top of the first inning. Makenna Reid has recorded just two outs and allowed three hits.
FSU softball starting lineup vs. Tennessee
Makenna Reid is getting the start for the Seminoles in the circle. The senior has allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings this season. Her last work was Thursday against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, when she recorded two outs and issued one walk.
What channel is FSU softball vs. Tennessee on Today?
The game between FSU and Tennessee will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+.
FSU softball vs. Tennessee time today
The game between FSU and Texas Tech is set to start at Noon ET at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Florida.
Watch FSU vs. Texas Tech live on ESPN+
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU softball vs. Tennessee: Live updates and highlights
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
