Amaya Ross carried the No. 11 Florida State softball team (7-3) to a doubleheader sweep vs FIU (6-7) going 5-for-6 with a combined five hits, including a home run, two triples and three RBI on the opening night of the Dugout Club Classic at JoAnne Graf Field. The Seminoles defeated the Golden Panthers 7-3 in game one and 8-1 in game two.
Game One
Makenna Reid got her first start of the season for the Noles in the circle and came out firing allowing just one hit in the first two innings while striking out three.
To lead off the bottom of the second frame Jaysoni Beachum doubled, stealing third on the ensuing pitch. Ross then ripped here second home run of the season over the left field wall to bring in the first two runs of the game.
FIU answered with two runs of their own in the top of the third, but Florida State regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Ross slashed a triple and scored off a throwing error to give the Noles a one-run advantage. With two outs Michaela Edenfield reached on an error and Hallie Wacaser singled to put runners in scoring position for Jahni Kerr. Kerr continued her hot start to the season with a double to clear the bases to make the score 6-2. Isa Torres drove home Kerr to give the Noles a comfortable 7-3 lead.
FIU added one more run in the top of the seventh, but Mimi Gooden was able to close the door to secure the win for the Noles.
Ross's three hits in game one was a new career high for her.
Game Two
Ashtyn Danley got the nod in game two and shut down FIU right off the bat allowing just two hits in five innings, the longest outing of her career.
Ross got things started once again for the Noles in the bottom of the second inning with a single, reaching second on an error. Michaela Edenfield was in a battle in her first at-bat of the game and sent a moonshot over the left field wall and over Spirit Way for her third home run of the season to give the Noles a 2-0 lead.
Ross got things started again in the bottom of the fourth with a single then immediately stole second. Devyn Flaherty moved her over to third on a single to put runners on the corners. Flaherty stole second, but the throw sailed into the outfield allowing both Ross and Flaherty to score. Hallie Wacaser then joined the party with a solo shot for her second home run in the past four games to give the Noles a commanding 5-0 lead.
FIU scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth, but the Seminole bats stayed hot in the bottom half of the inning as they added three more runs on the board. Jaysoni Beachum led off with a single, and Ross picked up her second triple of the night to bring a run across. Flaherty laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Ross from third to make it 7-1. Edenfield then hit her second home run of the game over the center field wall. It was Edenfield's fourth home run of the season and her third multi-home run game of her career.
Angelee Bueno picked up her first career hit in the bottom of the sixth inning followed by a single from Krystina Hartley to put runners on first and second for Kalei Harding. Harding delivered with her first hit of the day to end the game early to give the Noles a 9-1 win.
Florida State will be back in action tomorrow at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for a doubleheader against Charleston Southern on ACCNX.
