Francik's dominant no-hitter propels FSU softball toward a top ACC seed and championship. Stellar offense seals a commanding run-rule victory.
Jazzy Francik pitched her third no-hitter of the season Friday night to help No. 10 Florida State softball defeat Boston College 10-0 in six innings for a run-rule victory at Harrington Athletics Village in Boston.
The Seminoles (44-8, 19-3) are in the hunt for a ACC title and are in a must-sweep series against the Eagles (13-36, 3-19). A sweep would make FSU the conference champions and the No. 1 seed in this month's ACC tournament. One loss this weekend would give Duke a share of the title and jeopardize a potential top seeding for the Noles.
The scoring started in the second inning when Bella Ruggiero singled and Shelby McKenzie walked. Hayley Griggs then doubled and Ruggiero scored. Makenna Sturgis hit a two-RBI double, scoring McKenzie and Griggs. The Noles were up 3-0 after the second inning.
Kennedy Harp singled to start the fourth inning, and Hayley Griggs walked, putting runners on base before All American Isa Torres doubled to score both runners. FSU scored again when All American Jaysoni Beachum doubled, scoring Torres. ACC Pitcher of the Week Ashtyn Danley then singled, sending Beachum home and pushing the Seminoles' lead to 7-0 after four innings.
The final nail in the coffin came in the sixth inning when Griggs singled, and then scored on a bunt by Sturgis that was helped by BC error. Torres hit her second double of the day, scoring Sturgis. Torres later scored on a Danley sacrifice fly. FSU won by run-rule 10-0 after six innings.
FSU pitcher Jazzy Francik was the standout player Friday as the pitcher threw her fourth career no-hitter, third no-no of the season and second in the last seven days. The only Eagles player to reach base today did so from a Beachum error. Francik did not walk any batters in Game 1 and nearly had a perfect game after striking out six in six innings. The junior is now 19-2 on the season and is showing us why she was twice named the ACC Pitcher of the Week during the regular season.
Isa Torres continued her torrid play, swatting two doubles and making plays in the field. Torres was recently named National Player of the Week for the second time this season and had two hits, two runs, and two RBI on the day.
Jaysoni Beachum went 2-for-4 and has now reached base in 40 consecutive games. An error by the usually reliable Beachum allowed the Eagles to reach base and ended the possibility of a perfect game for Francik.
Game 2's first pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET Saturday at Harrington Athletics Village.
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