FSU softball opens fall ball with 19-5 win over Chipola

Florida State softball opened its fall season with a 19-5 scrimmage win over Chipola College on Oct. 2 at JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex. The teams played 10 innings, three more than usual, after agreeing to extra innings for more practice time.

The scrimmage offered the first look at a Seminoles roster rebuilt after a 52-10 season in which they swept the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles before falling in the Tallahassee Regional.

With shortstop Isa Torres, D1Softball's National Player of the Year, and infielder Jaysoni Beachum both transferring this offseason, FSU is filling the left side of its infield with a mix of transfers and freshmen.

The first inning was scoreless before Chipola freshman Jazmine Garcia scored in the top of the second to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

FSU answered in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Makenna Sturgis lined a hit to center field to tie the game, and freshman Callee Leffler drove in a second run before freshman infielder McLaine Hudson added an RBI double. Leffler then scored on a groundout by sophomore infielder Marin Heller to put the 'Noles up 4-1 after two innings.

After a brief weather delay, play resumed in the top of the third inning.

"It's awesome being back in the park. This is one of the premiere programs in the country and every time I come here I am reminded of it," Garnet and Gold fan Corey Neil said in an interview with the FSView after the game. "The facilities are second to none and it really is just so great to be back watching some FSU softball."