No. 10 Florida State (15-4) began the Unconquered Invitational with 12-3 and 5-3 wins over Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday at JoAnne Graf Field.
 
In game one of the doubleheader, the Seminoles scored three runs in the first inning and eight runs in the third to put the game out of reach. FSU’s 5-6-7 hitters – Kennedy Harp, Makenna Sturgis and Bella Ruggiero – combined to hit 6 for 6 with five runs scored and six RBI.
 
Harp’s two-run home run in the first inning was her first of the season.
 
Starting pitcher Jazzy Francik (7-1) allowed three runs on six hits in 3.2 innings. Makenna Reid faced the minimum and threw just 14 pitches over the final 1.1 innings.
 
In game two, Anna Hinde’s two-run home run with two outs in the sixth inning provided the winning margin in FSU’s 5-3 victory.
 
Florida State and FGCU remained scoreless into the fifth inning before Mackenzie Leiti’s three-run home run gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead.
 
The Seminoles answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. After Grace Taylor retired Florida State’s first 12 batters of the contest, Hinde drew a four-pitch walk to start the fifth inning and scored on Harp’s double to the left field wall.
 
Harp scored by avoiding a tag at the plate from the Eagles on a Sturgis groundball, and Bella Ruggiero tied the game with a double that plated Sturgis. Hinde’s home run scored Ashtyn Danley, who reached on a fielder’s choice after Jaysoni Beachum was hit by a pitch.
 
Bella Dimitrijevic (3-1) brushed off Leiti’s home run and retired seven of the Eagles’ final eight batters for her third win of the season. Danley allowed one hit and struck out three in 3.0 scoreless innings as Florida State’s starter.
 
FGCU and Rutgers will play a doubleheader Friday beginning at 11 a.m. to continue the Unconquered Invitational. The Seminoles and Scarlet Knights will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

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