TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State won its 11th game in a row Wednesday night, defeating previously unbeaten Central Florida 6-1 behind a strong 6.0 inning, 14-strikeout performance by junior pitcher Lacey Waldrop. The Seminoles scored one in the first and two in the second as they cruised to the 6-1 win.
"It was an outstanding effort by the entire team," head coach Lonni Alameda said. "Lacey pitched in some great spots. Bri Hamilton and Bailey Schinella had some big at bats. Being able to put the pressure on made it a really good day all around. They are having a blast right now and it is fun to see."
The `Noles got things started in the first inning with a Courtney Senas single and a double by Maddie O'Brien. Senas would come into score on a fielder's choice when UCF's catcher made an errant throw to try and retire Senas at third. It marked the ninth time this season that FSU has scored in the first inning.
Jessica Nori would pitch a scoreless seventh to close out the game and recorded a strikeout.
It was the fifth time this season that the Seminoles have allowed two or fewer hits in a game, including a combined no-hitter against North Dakota State on Feb. 15. FSU is only allowing 3.7 hits and 0.9 runs per game this season defensively, while on offense the `Noles average 8.3 hits and 7.6 runs per game.
No. 1 Florida 6, Jacksonville 0
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida won its home opener Wednesday, defeating Jacksonville 6-0 on Wednesday night.
Lauren Haeger pitched a four-hit shutout with no walks and seven strikeouts, improving to 4-0 on the year. The junior also contributed offensively, blasting a two-run home run for her team-leading fifth homer of the year in the fifth inning.
Left fielder Taylore Fuller opened the scoring with a leadoff homer in the third, her third home run of the season. First baseman Taylor Schwarz singled to start the next inning, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an errant JU throw to put the Gators ahead 2-0.
Freshman Justine McLean hit a two-out single in the fifth, setting up Haegerâs home run that gave Florida a 4-0 lead. The Orange and Blue then loaded the bases in the sixth on a walk and two singles. Fuller notched her second RBI with a single that plated center fielder Kirsti Merritt. A sacrifice fly from second baseman Kelsey Stewart brought in catcher Aubree Munro for UFâs sixth run to produce the final margin and extend the Gatorsâ winning streak to a dozen games to begin the season.
