Isa Torres Powers Florida State Softball Past No. 8 Florida with Two Home Runs

TALLAHASSEE — Isa Torres delivered a standout performance with two home runs to lead the No. 13 Florida State softball team to a 3-1 victory over No. 8 Florida on Wednesday night at JoAnne Graf Field. The win improved Florida State’s record to 40-7 overall and 15-3 in ACC play, while dropping Florida to 43-7 and 16-5 in SEC competition.

Florida struck first in the top of the first inning when Taylor Shumaker hit a leadoff home run to right field. Florida State answered immediately in the bottom of the frame, as Torres worked a full count and launched a 3-2 pitch over the center field wall to tie the game at 1-1.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the third inning, when Torres homered again — this time to deep center field — to deliver the Seminoles a 2-1 lead. The solo shot came with no one on base and extended Florida State’s advantage.

In the fourth inning, Florida State added an insurance run. Kennedy Harp opened the frame with a single, followed by a walk to Marin Heller. Shelby McKenzie then delivered a timely RBI single through the right side to score Harp, making it 3-1.

Junior pitcher Ashtyn Danley earned the win in relief, working four scoreless innings after entering in the fourth. She allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out two batters on 61 pitches. Danley improved to 9-1 on the season and 41-9 in her career.

Starter Jazzy Francik absorbed the loss for Florida State, pitching three innings and allowing one run on five hits with two walks and no strikeouts. She stranded multiple threats, including a bases-loaded situation in the third inning with a groundout double play.

The victory marked Florida State’s eighth win in the last nine meetings against the Gators. The crowd of 1,738 was the ninth-largest regular-season attendance in JoAnne Graf Field history. With the win, Florida State closed its home schedule at 31-2 and improved to 42-3 in its last 45 regular-season home games.

Florida State will continue its series against Georgia Tech this weekend, with the first game set for 6 p.m. On Friday on ACCNX.