No. 3 FSU vs. FIU: Preview, how to watch, game thread

After three weekends of conference play, the Florida State Seminoles softball will take a break in ACC play to head out and play games on the road against Troy and Florida International.

FSU beat Troy 12-0 on Wednesday — from our recap:

FSU’s time in the circle was efficient, with 84 total pitches to Troy’s 118, the staff combined to throw 57 strikes to 27 balls. With two outs, Seminole pitchers were 1-6.

While there were no bases loaded opportunities, situational hitting was able to shine. FSU was 7-10 with runners in scoring position (5-9 with two outs, 3-3 with runners on third and less than two outs), 1-2 in pinch hitting and racked up 4 two out RBIs.

FIU Panthers - Saturday March 26th

Last meeting: 2016, FSU leads all time matchups 3-0

Following Troy, the ‘Noles will head down south to Miami on Saturday to face the Panthers out of Conference USA. The Panthers are 15-15 on the season and are behind Senior Kendahl Dunford in the circle. Dunford has pitched in 90.1 innings given up 78 hits and 48 runs, with 70 strikeouts. Her 3.18 ERA leads the pitching staff.

At the plate it is Senior Brittany Phillips leading in batting average, with a .296. This includes 21 hits, 7 runs and 6 RBI. Phillips is joined by Junior Madison Lewis in team leading batting average. Lewis has a .293 with 13 runs, 22 hits and 15 RBI. Lewis is second on the team in slugging with a .453. Lastly, Senior Kayla Whitehead leads the Panthers in slugging with her .456. She has hit the most home runs with 3 and has collected the most hits with 26.

Matchup

Batting Average

FSU (.290) Troy (.294) FIU (.234)

Fielding Percentage

FSU (.988) Troy (.975) FIU (.965)

ERA

FSU (1.34) Troy (2.50) FIU (4.65)

More to know

FSU is outscoring opponents 170-46 this season.

FSU’s .988 fielding percentage leads the country, as well was the 1.34 ERA ranks among the top 5 in the country. The 128 walks accumulated throughout the ranks 3rd nationally.

How to Watch

Wednesday March 23rd: at 6 pm on ESPN+

Saturday March 26th: Game 1 at 1 pm, Game 2 at 3 pm