Duke Softball’s Rally Comes Up Just Short in Nail-Biting ACC Semifinal Loss to Florida State by One Run
Duke softball’s 2025 ACC Championship journey came to a heartbreaking halt on Friday afternoon, falling just one run short in a 3-2 semifinal loss to the Florida State Seminoles. In a game that epitomized postseason tension, the Blue Devils pushed one of the nation’s top programs to the brink but couldn’t quite land the knockout blow. For a team that has steadily risen in the ranks since the program’s inception in 2018, the narrow defeat was both a testament to how far Duke has come and a reminder of how slim the margins are at the sport’s highest levels.
The setting was ideal for drama: a sold-out crowd at Melissa Cook Stadium, the sun shining down in South Bend as Florida State and Duke met for the third time this season. The Seminoles had taken the regular-season series 2-1 in Tallahassee, and the rematch felt inevitable. Both teams entered the semifinals with confidence and momentum—Florida State fresh off a commanding win over Syracuse, and Duke riding high from an extra-innings thriller against Clemson. When the first pitch was thrown, the energy in the stadium was electric, and both dugouts were fired up for what promised to be a classic.
Duke struck first in the top of the second inning when junior outfielder Caroline Jacobsen ripped a double down the left-field line, scoring sophomore infielder Jazmine Moreno from second. The Blue Devils’ bench erupted, sensing an opportunity to seize early control. Against Florida State ace Kathryn Sandercock, any run felt precious. Sandercock, the ACC Pitcher of the Year finalist, had silenced opposing bats all season with her mix of velocity and movement. Yet Duke’s hitters came out aggressive and unfazed.
Florida State answered in the bottom half of the second with a solo home run from Michaela Edenfield, who turned on an inside pitch and deposited it into the left-field bleachers. It was a moment of experience shining through—the veteran catcher has been in countless high-leverage games and knew exactly how to respond. With the score tied 1-1, the Seminoles continued to press, forcing Duke starter Cassidy Curd to navigate traffic in multiple innings.
Curd, the sophomore left-hander who has emerged as the staff ace in 2025, showed remarkable poise throughout. Though she allowed baserunners in five of her six innings, she repeatedly worked out of jams with timely strikeouts and popups. Her changeup baffled Florida State’s left-handed hitters, and her fastball had enough rise to induce weak contact. In many ways, Curd matched Sandercock pitch-for-pitch—an impressive feat considering the latter’s experience and accolades.
The pivotal moment came in the fifth inning. With the score still tied at 1, Florida State loaded the bases with one out thanks to a pair of singles and a hit-by-pitch. Duke head coach Marissa Young visited the circle, offering words of encouragement and a strategy reminder: keep the ball low and force the ground ball. The plan almost worked. Curd induced a slow roller to third base, but the throw home was just a step late. A sacrifice fly from the next batter made it 3-1 Seminoles, and though Duke got out of the inning without further damage, the momentum had clearly swung.
Still, the Blue Devils refused to go quietly. In the top of the sixth, Duke loaded the bases with two outs after a single by Aminah Vega and back-to-back walks. The pressure mounted as Sandercock dug in for what would be the game’s defining at-bat. Senior catcher Deja Davis stepped to the plate, hoping to deliver in what could have been her final ACC tournament game. Davis worked the count full, fouled off two pitches, then laced a sharp liner to right field. Florida State’s outfielder made a sliding catch to end the threat, robbing Duke of at least two runs and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
In the seventh, Duke again showed its resilience. After a leadoff single from Jacobsen and a perfectly executed bunt by Moreno, the Blue Devils had the tying run on second with one out. This time, it was freshman phenom Emily Bingham who stepped to the plate. Bingham, who has been one of the most consistent bats in the lineup all season, took a first-pitch strike, then sent a soft blooper into shallow center. Jacobsen rounded third and scored as the ball dropped between three Seminoles defenders. Suddenly, it was 3-2, and Duke had the go-ahead run at the plate.
Florida State turned to its bullpen, bringing in sophomore reliever Ali DuBois. The first batter she faced lined out to shortstop, and with two outs, all eyes turned to Duke’s power-hitting first baseman Kristina Foreman. Foreman, a fifth-year senior and the emotional heartbeat of the team, fouled off three pitches in a tense nine-pitch battle. On the tenth pitch, she connected—deep to left-center. For a moment, it looked like the ball might carry over the fence. But the wind held it in just enough, and it was caught at the warning track to end the game.
As the Seminoles celebrated their return to the ACC title game, the Duke dugout stood in stunned silence. Tears welled up in the eyes of players and coaches alike—not from a lack of effort, but from the sting of being so close. Duke had gone toe-to-toe with one of college softball’s powerhouse programs and nearly came away with the upset.
Despite the loss, there was no shortage of pride in the Blue Devils’ performance. Coach Young gathered her team in the outfield after the game and reminded them of how far they’ve come. In just their seventh year as a varsity program, Duke has already built a reputation for strong pitching, scrappy at-bats, and elite defense. Friday’s game was further proof that the Blue Devils belong on the national stage.
Individually, several Duke players elevated their profiles. Curd’s outing—six innings, three earned runs, six strikeouts—was one of her best against top-tier competition. Jacobsen went 3-for-4 and drove in a run. Bingham extended her hitting streak to eight games. And the infield, anchored by Davis and Foreman, turned two double plays and committed no errors in a high-pressure environment.
For Florida State, the win means another shot at an ACC title and likely a top-eight national seed in the NCAA tournament. For Duke, the road now shifts to the NCAA Regionals, where they are expected to earn a host site based on their RPI and strength of schedule. The loss may have denied them a shot at their first ACC Championship, but it didn’t diminish their standing in the national picture.
As they head into the postseason, Duke carries with them a valuable lesson: they can hang with anyone. The next few weeks will test their resilience, but if Friday’s fight is any indication, this team is far from finished. The players believe they are capable of making a deep NCAA run. And though they fell one run short against the Seminoles, they continue to rise as one of college softball’s most formidable and respected programs.
There will be no banner for the ACC title this year, no postgame trophy ceremony for the Blue Devils. But there’s something even more powerful in their journey—a program built from the ground up now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with giants. Friday’s loss may hurt, but in many ways, it was a confirmation. Duke is no longer chasing; they’re competing. And their best moments may still be ahead.
