FSU Softball: Noles Handle Heels to Reach ACC Final

Florida State third baseman Jessica Warren homered and drove in four runs on Friday as FSU cruised past North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinals in Raleigh, 7-1.

Warren’s 3-run blast in the bottom of the 3rd followed an Ellie Cooper sacrifice fly and highlighted a 4-run frame for Florida State. Warren would add an RBI single during a 3-run fifth for the Seminoles.

Warren’s single plated the second FSU run of the frame. Cali Harrod led off the inning with a home run to right center. Warren would come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Zoe Casas.

North Carolina plated its only run in the fifth inning on an RBI double by Berlynne Delamora. The double down the line brought home Taylor Wike, who had three of the six hits for the Tar Heels.

North Carolina had its opportunities to score early on, but couldn’t cash in. The Tar Heels loaded the bases with no one out in the second inning, but FSU starting pitcher Jessica Burroughs worked out of the jam by striking out the side. North Carolina left two runners in scoring position in the third.

Burroughs, the ACC’s Pitcher of the Year, didn’t allow a run in her three innings of work before being replaced Meghan King, who tossed the final four innings.

FSU will go for a third straight ACC Tournament title on Saturday against either Notre Dame or Louisville. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. EST.