TALLAHASSEE – The relentless offense of the No. 7 Florida State softball team (2-0) led to a 12-3 run-rule victory over Iowa (1-1) in five innings on Friday night at JoAnne Graf Field. 
 
Marin Heller got on base on a walk in the first inning, and she advanced to third on a single by Jaysoni Beachum. A sacrifice fly by Shelby McKenzie brought Heller home for the first FSU run.
 
The Seminoles got into scoring position again in the second inning, after Makenna Sturgis reached first on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a deep single by Isa Torres. A sharp grounder by Heller forced a misplay on the Iowa defense, and Sturgis plated the Noles’ second run. Beachum cleared the bases with a three-run homer to center field, expanding the lead to 5-0.
 
Six Noles reached base in the third inning, and three scored. Bella Ruggiero, pinch-running for Anna Hinde who reached on a deep left field double, scored after Sturgis put the ball in play for another fielder’s choice. A hard-hit ball to center field by Torres produced another error from the Iowa defense, and Hayley Griggs and Angelee Bueno crossed home to bring the score to 8-0.
 
Makenna Reid entered the circle in relief of Ashtyn Danley to start the fourth inning, and the Hawkeyes plated three runs on two doubles to get on the scoreboard. Reid then pitched a hitless fifth inning to keep the Hawkeye offense in check.
 
The Noles offense picked up again in the fifth with a Sturgis double. Heller was hit by a pitch and Beachum was walked to load the bases, and McKenzie activated a run-rule victory with a walk-off grand slam, the first of her career.  
 
Danley pitched three innings in her first start of the season, with four strikeouts and one hit to earn the win. Reid pitched two innings to close the game, allowing three hits.
 
Florida State will face Marshall on Saturday for their third and fourth games of the JoAnne Graf Classic. The first game will air at 3:00 pm, and the second at 5:30 pm on ACCNX.
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
B1 | IOWA 0, FSU 1             McKenzie sacrifice fly, Heller scored
B2 | IOWA 0, FSU 2             Heller reached on an error, Sturgis scored
B2 | IOWA 0, FSU 5             Beachum home run
B3 | IOWA 0, FSU 6             Sturgis reached on fielder’s choice hit, Ruggiero scored
B3 | IOWA 0, FSU 8             Torres reached on fielding error, Griggs and scored
T4 | IOWA 2, FSU 8             McAnally doubled, Marshall and Myers scored
T4 | IOWA 3, FSU 8             Leitgen doubled, Currie scored
B5 | IOWA 3, FSU 12           McKenzie home run
 
Of Note

• Friday was the first meeting between the Seminoles and Hawkeyes in Tallahassee. 
• Shelby McKenzie’s grand slam was her first grand slam of her career and just her third home run as a Seminole.
• McKenzie’s grand slam was the first by a Seminole since Jahni Kerr on April 13, 2025.
• McKenzie’s 5 RBI is a career high for the sophomore.
• McKenzie’s 5 RBI were also the most by a Nole since Jahni Kerr’s 6 RBI day on April 13, 2025.
• Jaysoni Beachum recorded her 33rd multi-RBI game of her career. 
• Beachum hit her 28th career home run and is four home runs from tying for the 10th-most home runs in school history.
• FSU turned two double plays tonight – one in the third inning and one in the fifth inning. FSU had just three games all of last year where they turned two or more double plays.  
• FSU improved to 7-3 all-time against Iowa
• FSU improved to 31-5 all-time in the JoAnne Graf Classic.
• FSU improved 175-81 all-time against Big Ten teams.