CLEARWATER, Fla. - A pitching and defensive masterpiece plus some aggressive base running led No. 5 Florida State Softball (5-1) to a 4-0 win over No. 9 Stanford (4-3) on Thursday evening at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

Allison Royalty got the start for the Seminoles and was terrific as she pitched five scoreless innings while allowing just four hits while striking out three. Royalty found herself in some trouble in the top of the third inning as back-to-back walks and a single loaded the bases for the Cardinal with zero outs.

Royalty forced a ground ball to Devyn Flaherty at second who fired it home for the force out. Royalty struck out the next batter and forced a groundout to end the inning unharmed.

The Cardinal were able to get runners on second and third with two outs in the fourth inning, but freshman shortstop Isa Torres made a leaping catch on a line drive to save two runs and end the inning.

After four scoreless innings, the Seminoles finally broke through in the fifth inning with three runs. Torres began the inning with an infield single then Jaysoni Beachum drew a walk to put two runners on with no outs. A passed ball allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Jahni Kerr hit a fly ball just deep enough in right field to allow Torres to score. Kaley Mudge reached on an error bringing home Beachum to give FSU a 2-0 lead. Coming in to pinch run for Mudge, Autumn Belviy immediately stole second. On a 2-2 count, Belviy went to steal third, and the throw was high allowing Belviy to score.

Flaherty began the sixth inning by laying down a great bunt down the third base line to reach first. Flaherty advanced to second on a groundout then scampered to third then to home on back-to-back wild pitches to extend the lead to 4-0.

Ashtyn Danley entered the circle in the sixth inning and allowed the leadoff runner to reach base in both the sixth and seventh innings, but she retired the following three batters in both innings to secure the win for the Seminoles. Danley was credited with her first career save.

FSU will be back in action at 1 p.m. tomorrow when they take on No. 20 UCLA on ESPNU.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Allison Royalty, FSU softball shutout Stanford in Clearwater