As if it weren’t the case already, Florida State softball has become the favorite to win the ACC Tournament for a sixth year in a row.
The Seminoles are the highest remaining seed at JoAnne Graf Field and are coming off a 7-0 shutout of Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech was the No. 1 seed entering the tournament, but was upset by eight-seeded NC State on Thursday, 3-2.
Although FSU is the 5-time reigning ACC champions and the defending national champions, the aura of invincibility it had in ACC play has been somewhat diminished this season. After losing just five conference games in the previous three years combined, the Seminoles went 19-5 in conference this year and actually dropped road series at Louisville and North Carolina. Prior to falling to the Cardinals on a walk-off last month, FSU had been unbeaten in 52 straight ACC series.
Only one of its five ACC losses and only two of FSU’s eight total losses came at home, which would make playing at Graf Field seem like a big advantage. Interestingly enough however, Florida State’s last ACC Tournament loss came on its home field.
The Seminoles fell to NC State, 1-0, for the 2013 ACC Championship in what was their last conference tournament loss. Emily Weiman threw a 4-hit shutout for the Wolfpack that day. Since then, FSU has won 16 straight ACC Tournament games.
Winning a sixth conference title would be the sixth-most for an FSU program. The Seminoles will take on third-seeded Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament semifinals at 3:30 p.m. EST on Friday on Raycom Sports Network. The Fighting Irish were the only ACC team to beat FSU in Tallahassee this season, but dropped two of three when the teams met in mid-March.
Other Fun Facts
FSU baseball’s J.C. Flowers has joined Mike McGee as the only players in FSU history with 10 home runs and 10 saves in the same season.
FSU baseball is known for having the most College World Series appearances without a national championship. FSU beach volleyball now also holds the distinction for most appearances in the NCAA Championships without a title. It shares that distinction with Pepperdine.
FSU football has the lowest Academic Progress Rate among FBS programs.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.
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