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No. 10 FSU hangs on to beat No. 17 Duke, claim crucial ACC series

by:Tara Henry•03/22/25
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Florida State secured its second ACC series win with a narrow 12-11 victory over Duke in a wild game two in Durham.

Duke starter Dani Drogemuller cruised through the top of the lineup on just 15 pitches, but things changed quickly in the second inning.

Florida State capitalized on a Michaela Edenfield leadoff hit-by-pitch and a walk to Katie Dack, putting runners on first and second. Jahni Kerr‘s push bunt snuck past the pitcher for an RBI single, scoring the game’s first run. Hallie Wacaser extended the lead to 2-0 with an offspeed single through the right side. Cassidy Curd entered in relief and escaped further damage, retiring the next three batters with a pop-up, a strikeout, and a groundout.

In the bottom of the second, Duke responded with a two-out rally. A four-pitch walk to Kairi Rodriguez and a single from Jada Baker set the stage for Brooklinn Thomas, who snapped Duke’s 1-for-12 stretch with runners in scoring position with an RBI single up the middle, cutting the lead to 2-1.

Florida State broke things open in the third. After a Harp bloop single to center, Edenfield singled through the right side, and a fielding error allowed both runners to advance. Curd bounced back with a strikeout of Dack, but Kerr’s second RBI bunt of the day brought home Harp. Wacaser followed with a bloop single to right, scoring two more runs. Angelee Bueno’s single kept the rally alive for Danley, who knocked a single to right field. Isa Torres capped off the six-run inning with a bases-clearing double to left, giving FSU an 8-1 lead.

The Seminoles applied more pressure in the fourth. Beachum doubled to center, and Harp reached on an infield single. Edenfield crushed a 0-2 pitch for a three-run home run, marking her 50th career homer and extending the lead to 11-1.

Duke fought back in the fifth. Julia Apsel gave up consecutive singles to Thomas and Jennings, bringing up Aminah Vega, who blasted an opposite-field three-run home run to left, avoiding the run rule.

Hailey Shuler provided a bright spot for Duke, tossing three innings in relief and allowing just one run.

In the sixth, Duke continued to chip away. Rodriguez singled off the left field wall, followed by a Thomas infield single. A passed ball advanced both runners and Jennings’ single to shortstop, coupled with a bobbled throw, cut the deficit to 11-6.

Florida State tacked on an insurance run in the seventh, as Torres doubled to left to score a run and extend the lead to 12-6.

Duke made a final push in the seventh. Jazzy Francik surrendered a two-run homer to Burgess, bringing Duke within four. Mathis singled, and Malau’ulu walked. After Rodriguez grounded out, Baker reached on an error, scoring a run. With Thomas’ single to right and Jennings reaching on another error, the bases were loaded for Vega. She grounded out to second, cutting the score to 12-11.

With the winning run on first, Ana Gold worked a full count before Danley issued a walk to load the bases. Beachum ultimately ended the game, fielding a hot shot at third and stepping on the bag for the force out, sealing Florida State’s dramatic victory.

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