May 15, 2004

2004 ACC Softball Championship Central

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida State recorded eight runs in five innings to defeat North Carolina 8-0 at the 2004 ACC Softball Championship, being held at the Seminole Softball Complex on the campus of Florida State University.

Florida State sophomore Kim Hoffer started the third inning with a single to first base. Freshman LaShaun Davis followed her to the plate and walked, advancing Hoffer to second. Freshman Veronica Wootson then reached on a fielding error, loading the bases. Junior Katie Fricke, pinch hitting for Natasha Jacob, walked to bring home Florida State's first run. Senior Jessica van der Linden then singled through the right side, bringing home two runs, putting the Seminoles up 3-0. Van der Linden advanced to second on a throw and then to third on a wild pitch. Junior Lesley Palmer homered over the left field wall to increase Florida State's lead to 6-0 heading into the fourth inning.

The Seminoles ended the game when senior Beth Wade came to the plate in the fifth inning with bases loaded and doubled to center field, sending home two Florida State base runners. Florida State posted an 8-0 victory.

Florida State advances to face the winner of today's final game between North Carolina and the winner of Georgia Tech vs. Maryland on Sunday, May 16 at 12:00 noon.

Florida State scored eight runs on six hits and committed one error, while North Carolina was held scoreless on two hits and committed one error.

Jessica van der Linden became Florida State's all-time leader in career strikeouts with her third K of the game. She now has 842 for her career, breaking the previous record of 834, set in 1988.