FSU softball's pitchers keep 'energy consistent' in run-rule victory over NC State
A walk-off home run ended Florida State softball's game against NC State on Thursday night.
Friday it was a nearly identical play that had ended the game, but this time it was two innings earlier.
Kennedy Harp's three-run homer sent the Seminoles home early, picking up an 8-0 win over NC State at JoAnne Graf Field in front of 908 fans.
"We've got some good vibes today and that's the journey of a season," FSU head coach Lonni Alameda said.
"You've just got to stay in it and it's super cool to see those moments."
Getting their "moment"
FSU cruised for the majority of the game, but was really pushed in the fifth, and what would be the final inning.
Senior Emma Wilson entered the game in the fifth, with the Seminoles up 5-0. After two illegal pitch calls and bases loaded for NC State, Makenna Reid came on to relieve Wilson.
FSU held the Wolfpack off the board, but the frame lasted 20 minutes. Alameda also voiced her displeasure to the officiating crew after both calls on Wilson.
"Emma's [Wilson] done so much for this program and she really hasn't had a lot of moments," Alameda said. "All of a sudden she's getting taken advantage of a little bit off some calls. There's the ball off the foot that turns into a base hit and it's just like 'Man, this kid has done so much.'
"You want to fight [for Wilson] in that moment and the whole team does."
FSU's good karma quickly came back around as Harp's fourth home run of the season slammed the door. She finished the night 2-of-3.
Freshman Jaysoni Beachum, who is leading the Seminoles at home plate with a .490 average, was 2-of-2 and was walked once. Redshirt junior Jahni Kerr was also 2-of-3 on the night.
"We know what Kennedy's [Harp] power is, but it was so fun to see that we got a moment from that. It's like seeing a crystal ball," Alameda said. "It was really fun for us."
Having consistent energy
FSU's pitching has been the hot topic amongst fans all season.
After graduating Kathryn Sandercock, Mack Leonard and Ali DuBois, the Seminoles bullpen has a younger look than in the past few years.
This is the second shutout FSU's pitching staff has picked up in a week, with Mimi Gooden (2-1) picking up the win. She pitched three innings, allowing no runs on three hits and hitting one batter.
She said the main focus for the pitchers has been to keep their energy consistent all throughout the game.
"In the beginning, we had some energy in some games and didn't in others, but we just need to improve on ourselves," Gooden said. "Staying in it the whole time and having consistent energy are the goals we want to achieve each game. That helped last weekend and this weekend."
Support in the room has been huge as well. Gooden talked about how important it was for the group to be behind Wilson when calls weren't going her way.
"It was important to let Emma know that we had her back and she's got this," Gooden said. "Just knowing and telling them that we've got they're back and that she can trust the defense behind her is important."
How to watch Game 3 FSU softball vs. NC State
Who: No. 18 Florida State (23-9, 6-2) vs. NC State (18-15, 1-10)
When: Saturday, noon at JoAnne Graf Field, Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCNX
Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on X @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU softball's pitching stays the course in run-rule win over NC State
