SU Opens ACC Slate at No. 10 Florida State

Game Details: Friday, March 13- Sunday, March 15; Tallahassee, Fla.; Seminole Softball Complex
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Live Coverage: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange softball team (11-7) is set to face No. 10 Florida State (21-4) on the road for the first ACC series of the season. 'Cuse and FSU will compete in a three-game series in Tallahassee, Florida from March 13-15 at the Seminole Softball Complex.

ORANGE UPDATE
Syracuse was scheduled to play at the UMBC Tournament in Baltimore, Maryland, but all games were canceled due to weather. The Orange made up a doubleheader against UAlbany in Binghamton, New York. 'Cuse split the series, falling 2-1 in nine innings in the first game, but defeating the Great Danes 4-2 in the second game.

Senior Madison Knight recorded her sixth home run of the season, batting in three runs. Outfielder Jadyn Burney tallied a triple for the second straight game, while freshman Mackenzie Knight added a hit and a run in her first career start.

In the circle, Julianna Verni pitched 5.0 innings in the first game, throwing seven strikeouts. Jackie Pengel completed the game, pitching 4.0 innings and recording three strikeouts. Madison Knight pitched 6.0 innings in the second game, tossing seven strikeouts of her own.

The Orange are set to play No. 10 Florida State in Tallahassee, Florida from March 13 to Sunday, March 15.

SU will kick off the weekend at the Seminole Softball Complex at 6 p.m. on Friday, followed by a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday and a noon matinee faceoff on Sunday.

Syracuse was voted to finish in 14th place in the conference this season according to the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll. Florida State was picked to finish first, receiving 179 points and 12 first-place votes. Following behind, Clemson was voted to finish in second and received one first-place vote and Stanford was picked to finish in third and had two first-place votes. SU is set to face Florida State (1), Virginia Tech (4), Virginia (6), Louisville (10), Notre Dame (11), NC State (12), Pittsburgh (13) and Boston College (15) for series this season.

SCOUTING THE SEMINOLES
Nationally ranked No. 10 Florida State (21-4) enters the weekend on an 11-game winning streak. The Seminoles recently hosted the Unconquered Invitational, going 4-0 on the weekend, while also gathering wins over Jacksonville, a series sweep at Coastal Carolina, and a home win against South Alabama.

Junior Isa Torres won the ACC Player of the Week title after going 15-for-18 in four games and collecting eight RBIs and breaking a school record of six hits in a game over the Chanticleers. She is the first NCAA DI player since 2017 to record six hits in a game. The infielder has recorded eight consecutive plate appearances, the longest streak by a Seminole since 2011.

Five Seminoles made the D1 Softball and Softball America Preseason Top 100 list, including infielders Torres and Jaysoni Beachum, pitcher Jazzy Francik, utility Ashtyn Danley and outfielder Kennedy Harp. All five also earned spots on the All-ACC Preseason poll. Torres additionally was named to the D1 Softball Preseason First Team All-American list.

FSU currently stands in 10th place in the ACC, as they have not had an ACC matchup yet. The Seminoles were predicted to finish in first place according to the ACC Preseason Poll. Additionally, they were ranked nationally in 8th place in the NFCA's preseason poll.

Last year, Florida State completed its season with a 49-12 overall record. The Seminoles had an 18-3 conference record, finishing in first place in the ACC. FSU entered the conference tournament as the No. 1 seed and captured wins over Georgia Tech and Duke. The Seminoles fell in the championship game to No. 2 seed Clemson, 2-1. Florida State qualified for the NCAA Regional and later went on to the Super Regional. Their season ended after two losses to Texas Tech at home.

SERIES HISTORY

This weekend's meeting will mark the 35th, 36th and 37th meetings between Syracuse and Florida State.
The Seminoles hold a 30-4 advantage over the Orange, with the first meeting occurring on March 16, 2001.
The last time the two teams faced off, Syracuse defeated Florida State 13-5 in five innings at home on May 5, 2024.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, Mar. 13: at Florida State at 6 p.m. ET
Saturday, Mar. 14: at Florida State at 1 p.m. ET
Sunday, Mar. 15: at Florida State at 1 p.m. ET

UP NEXT
Syracuse will celebrate its home opener, welcoming NC State to Skytop Softball Stadium from Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22.

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