Florida State University’s softball team, ranked No. 6 nationally, overcame an early deficit to defeat Florida Atlantic University 9-5 at the Shriner’s Children’s Clearwater Invitational on Friday night. The win brings FSU’s record to 7-1 for the season, while FAU drops to 5-2.
The game began with a scoreless first inning before FSU’s Shelby McKenzie recorded the team’s first hit with an infield single. Hayley Griggs followed with her first career triple, giving FSU a 1-0 lead. FAU responded in the bottom of the second inning by scoring four runs and taking a 4-1 advantage.
FSU narrowed the gap in the fourth inning when Anna Hinde reached base on an infield single and was brought home by Griggs’ double. Makenna Sturgis then doubled to drive in another run, bringing FSU within one. Isa Torres tied the game with a two-out double, and Marin Heller gave FSU a 5-4 lead with a single.
Pitcher Jazzy Francik held FAU scoreless in the bottom of the fourth. In the fifth inning, Ashtyn Danley and Anna Hinde hit consecutive home runs, extending FSU’s lead to three runs. This marked the first time since May 2025 that FSU has achieved back-to-back home runs in a game.
FAU managed one run in the sixth inning, but Sturgis added insurance for FSU with her second home run of the season, making it 9-5 going into the final frame. Francik secured her fourth win of the season by closing out the seventh despite two FAU runners reaching base.
According to Florida State athletics records, this three-run comeback is their largest since April 2025 when they overcame a six-run deficit against Virginia.
Nine of FSU’s thirteen hits came from true freshmen players, who also accounted for seven of nine RBIs in this game. Three out of four freshmen who have had an at-bat this season have now hit a home run for FSU.
Hayley Griggs has reached base in seven out of eight games so far this season and has driven in runs in three of her last five games.
With this victory, FSU improves its all-time record against FAU to 13-7 and moves to 21-10 overall at the Clearwater Invitational tournament. The team has now won five out of its last six games at this event.
