The No. 12 Florida State Seminoles softball team clinched a crucial ACC series victory on Saturday, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 6-1 at JoAnne Graf Field. The win improves their impressive record to 38-7 overall and 14-3 in conference play, solidifying their status as a powerhouse this season.

Saturday's game was a showcase for two-way star Ashtyn Danley. With FSU holding a narrow 2-1 lead in the fifth inning, Danley stepped up and launched a decisive three-run homer to center field, effectively breaking the game open. She then took that momentum to the circle, pitching three shutout innings of relief to seal the victory.

The Seminoles set the tone early, with Isa Torres leading off the bottom of the first with a solo shot—her third home run in the last four games. After loading the bases, a sacrifice fly from Bella Ruggiero extended the lead to 2-0. North Carolina managed to cut the deficit in half with a two-out homer in the third off FSU starter Bella Dimitrijevic, who otherwise delivered a strong four-inning outing.

FSU's offense continued to pressure the Tar Heels, adding an insurance run in the sixth inning when Marin Heller led off with a triple and scored on a sac fly. The Seminoles racked up 10 hits as a team, with Torres and Danley each collecting multiple hits in the win.

With the series secured, the Seminoles now turn their attention to completing the sweep on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for noon, with the game streaming on ESPN+. The day will also feature a special pregame ceremony to honor seniors Madi Frey and Makenna Reid.