Softball FSU to play McNeese in midweek games

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU sports information:

The No. 18 Florida State softball team (24-9, 7-2) looks to continue their winning ways against the McNeese Cowgirls (23-13, 8-1) in a two-game, midweek series at JoAnne Graf Field. The two teams will play at 8 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday with both games being televised by the ACC Network. Tiffany Greene (Play by Play) and Carol Bruggerman (Color) will have the call.

Noles Starting to Heat Up

• After losing four out of five to the likes of Alabama, Duke and Texas, the Seminoles have rattled off six consecutive wins, most in dominating fashion.
• FSU has outscored their opponent 64-21 and are averaging 10.66 runs per game during their win streak.
• Four out of the six wins have come via run rule.
• FSU has scored at least eight runs in all six of the games. This is the first time that they have scored eight or more runs in six consecutive games since 2019 when they scored eight or more runs in eight games from Mar. 19-31, 2019.
• FSU currently sits second in the ACC standings behind Duke.

Sister, Sister

• It will be a family reunion at The Plex on Tuesday and Wednesday as sisters Isa Torres and Mariana Torres will face off with each other.
• Mariana is a senior at McNeese who has started 25 games for the Cowgirls.

Coming Up in the Clutch

• When the pressure is on, freshman Isa Torres has come up big on multiple occasions for the Seminoles.
• Torres has hit two walk-offs in the bottom of the seventh this season to lead the Noles to victory.
• Torres hit a two-run walk-off home run against NC State on Mar. 28 to put the Seminoles on top 8-6. Torres was the first true freshman to hit a walk-off home run since Jessi Warren in 2015 against Notre Dame.
• Torres also hit a two-RBI walk-off single against Texas Tech on Feb. 9 to win the game for the Noles.

Torres' Red-Hot Weekend Against the Wolfpack

• Isa Torres hit a walk-off home run in the series opener against NC State, but that was just the start of a career weekend for Torres.
• Torres went 7-for-8 (.875) with six RBI, a home run, three doubles and a 1.625 slugging percentage.
• Four out of Torres' seven hits were for extra bases.
• Torres also had a spectacular weekend in the field, recording seven assists and two putouts to post a perfect fielding percentage.
• Torres is currently in the middle of a five-game hitting streak and five-game RBI streak.

Wait, They're Only Freshmen?!?!?!

• Yes, some of Florida State's best production has come from a freshmen class that was ranked the No. 3 overall class by softball America.
• Jaysoni Beachum (.470) and Isa Torres (,382) hold the top two batting averages on the team.
• In the circle, Ashtyn Danley has recorded a team-high 13 starts and her 59 innings are the second most on the team.
• All five freshman hitters have recorded a hit this season with Torres, Beachum and Kennedy Harp all recording 10+ hits.
• The six freshmen have made a combined 89 starts this season.
• 105 out of the team's 309 (34%) hits have come from freshmen.
• 72 out of the teams 243 RBI (38%) have come from freshmen.
• 39% of the team's innings pitched have come from freshmen.

Youth in the Circle

• A program that has continuously put together one of the best pitching staffs in the country has faced a new challenge this year....youth.
• 69% of innings thrown this year have been from either freshman or sophomores.
• 39% of the innings pitched have been from true freshman.
• Freshman pitchers Ashtyn Danley and Mimi Gooden have combined to start in 17 out of the Seminoles' 33 games this season.

Coacha Approaching Win No. 900

• Head Coach Lonni Alameda is quickly approaching 900 career wins as a collegiate coach as she currently sits at 897 wins.
• Alameda will become the 20th active coach to reach 900 career wins.
• Alameda holds the seventh best winning percentage among active Division 1 head coaches who will have won 900 games or more (.710).
• Alameda has the ninth-most wins among active Power 5 coaches.

Offensive Explosion

• FSU put together one of their best offensive weekends in school history last weekend against Pitt.
• FSU scored 40 runs in three games which was the most runs ever scored by FSU in a three game series against an ACC opponent.
• It was the first time FSU has ever scored 10 or more runs in three consecutive games against an ACC opponent. It was only the fourth time in school history that FSU has had a streak of three or more games with 10 or more runs.
• FSU hit 15 home runs against the Panthers including seven in the series finale which tied a program record for most home runs in a single game.
• 10 different players hit a home run against the Panthers.

Get Hot, Stay Hot

• The Florida State offense has been one of the best in the country through the first 33 games of the season.
• FSU is averaging 7.83 runs per game which is fifth in the country. FSU is hitting .345 as a team which ranks 9th in the country.
• FSU has scored 259 runs through 33 games this season which is on pace to be a top five offense in school history and could break the school record of 459 runs scored by the 2016 team. The 2016 team scored 263 runs through 33 games.
• In 33 games, FSU has scored 8 or more runs in 21 games. In 69 games last season, FSU scored eight or more runs just 22 times.
• FSU has scored 10 or more runs in nine games so far this season after accomplishing that feat just eight times last season.

Dominance in the ACC

• Florida State has been on top of the ACC for the past decade.
• FSU has won eight out of the last nine ACC Tournament Championships and seven out of the last nine ACC Regular Season Championships.
• Since 2012, FSU has lost just three ACC road series and has not lost an ACC road series since 2019.
• FSU has lost just three ACC series in the last four seasons and have lost just five ACC series since 2012.

A True Home Field Advantage

• The Seminole Softball Complex has become one of the toughest places to play in the country in recent history.
• Since the start of the 2019 season, FSU is 139-22 at the Seminole Softball Complex.
• In the past two seasons, FSU is 51-9 at the Seminole Softball Complex.

My Oh Amaya

• Fans have known the name Amaya Ross for awhile but mainly for her insane speed on the base paths. Now, Ross has found herself in the FSU lineup for more than just her speed.
• Ross has started all 33 games this season after making just 18 starts the past two seasons.
• Ross has already surpassed her hit, RBI and home run numbers this season from the last two seasons combined.
• Ross had one of the best weeks of her career at the Dugout Club Classic.
• In six games, Ross recorded 10 hits in 15 at-bats (.667) with six RBI and three triples.
• Ross was involved in 17 out of the Seminoles 47 runs scored in the Dugout Club Classic and was a perfect 5-for-5 on the base paths.
• Ross's five triples is seventh in the country.
• Ross is 11th in the country and first in the ACC with 21 stolen bases this season.
• Ross is the only player in the ACC to steal 20+ bases without being caught. Only two players in the country have stolen more bases without being caught than Ross.
• Ross currently holds a .341 batting average with eight home runs which is second on the team.
• Ross leads the ACC and is fourth in the country in runs per game (1.33).
• Ross has stolen 48 bases in 51 attempts over the course of her career.

Tallahassee Native Jaysoni Beachum Clicking On All Cylinders

• Jaysoni Beachum has continued to solidify herself as not only one of the best freshman in the country but as one of the best players in the country
• Beachum, a native of Tallahassee, leads the team with a .470 batting average and 47 hits.
• Beachum has hit seven home runs and driven in 33 runs which is second on the team.
• Beachum has recorded a hit in 25 out of the Seminoles' 33 games this season.
• Out of the 33 games this season, Beachum has had two or more hits in 18 games.
• Beachum has the highest batting average in the county among freshmen and has the seventh highest batting average in the country.
• Beachum has had two multi-home run games this season. Beachum is the first true freshman since Kalei Harding in 2021 to have a multi-home run game.
• Beachum has also locked down the hot corner for the Noles making 32 starts at the positions. Beachum has committed just two errors this season.

Ocho's Hot Start

• Kalei Harding or "Ocho" continues to be a consistent force for the Florida State lineup and is solidifying herself as one of the top hitters in program history
• Harding is currently hitting .366 with a team-high 40 RBI.
• In ACC play, Harding is hitting .500 with three home runs and 18 RBI. Her 18 RBI is tied for third in the conference.
• Harding also picked up her 200th career hit against the Blue Devils.
• Against UCLA, Harding recorded four hits in five at-bats which was tied for a career high. Harding was the first FSU player since Kaley Mudge in 2021 at the Women's College World Series against Alabama to record four or more hits.
• Her seven RBI game against Charlotte tied Anna Shelnutt (2017) for the school record for RBI in a single game.
• Harding is second all-time in school history for career doubles (54), fourth in school history for career home runs (39), fourth for career RBI (183) and eighth in school history for career slugging percentage (.572).

Torres Finds Groove in the Box and in the Field

• Replacing Josie Muffley is no easy task, but freshman Isa Torres has given her best shot and is off to a great start offensively and defensively for the Noles at the shortstop position.
• Torres is second on the team in batting average (.382) and has driven in 27 runs this season.
• Torres has continued to make jaw-dropping plays at the shortstop position this season and holds a .969 fielding percentage this season.
• Torres has come through in the clutch twice this season as she hit a walk-off home run against NC State on Mar. 28 and a walk-off single against Texas Tech on Feb. 10.

Reid Gaining Confidence in the Circle

• As one of the top freshman pitchers in 2023, Makenna Reid has begun to find her groove in the circle in 2024 after a tough start.
• Over the course of her career, Reid holds a 21-1 record for the Seminoles.
• In one of the best performances of her young career, Reid stifled one of the top offenses in Duke as she pitched a career high seven innings while allowing just three hits and not allowing a run.
• In 2023, Reid was one of just three pitchers last season to not suffer a loss joining Alex Storako and Nicole May from Oklahoma.
• Reid was one of just five players to post a sub 1.00 ERA last season.
• Reid was the first Seminole since Sarah Hamilton in 2009 to finish with a sub 1.00 ERA.

Danley Coming Alive in the Circle

• True freshman pitcher and outfielder Ashtyn Danley came to Tallahassee as one of the top recruits in the country and has begun to find her footing as a Seminole.
• Danley has made a team-high 13 starts for the Seminoles this season and holds a 5-2 record.
• In her last five appearances, Danley has allowed five earned runs while striking out 16 in 15.1 innings.
• Against one of the top offenses in the country in Texas, Danley threw three scoreless innings while striking out three.

Kerr Continues Hot Streak

• Redshirt junior Jahni Kerr is back for the Seminoles after a breakout season in 2023.
• In 2024, Kerr is hitting .364 with 22 RBI in 25 games. Kerr missed seven games this season due to injury.
• Against Pitt, Kerr hit three home runs in three games for the Noles.
• As one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school, Kerr struggled in her first two seasons as a Seminole as she dealt with the implications of COVID and was recovering from a knee injury that she suffered her freshman season.
• The tide turned for Kerr in 2023, and it all started with a home run in a primetime ESPN slot against Alabama at the 2023 Clearwater Invitational. Kerr came into the game starting in just three out of the Seminoles nine games and was 2-for-10 at the plate.
• Kerr led the team with a .356 batting average while adding eight home runs and 40 RBI in 2023.
• Kerr earned First Team All-ACC honors for the first time in her career and was named to the Preseason All-ACC Team.

Flaherty Returns to Lead the Noles in the Infield and On the Base Paths

• No one was more dangerous on the base paths last season than Florida State's Devyn Flaherty.
• Flaherty stole 31 bases on 32 attempts which led the ACC.
• Flaherty cracked the all-time top 10 list for most career stolen bases in school history. Flaherty has 93 career stolen bases which puts her tied for eighth in school history.
• Flaherty was one of four players in the NCAA in 2023 to steal 30 or more bases while only being caught once.

A True Utility

• No one has embraced the utility role more in her career than Kalei Harding.
• Harding, who was recruited as a catcher, has played all but three positions (Pitcher, catcher, second base) during her career at Florida State.
• Harding is one of just three active players in the NCAA to have played six or more positions in their career.
• This season, Harding has already played left field, right field, third base and first base.

Ms. Mudge Hopes to be Ms. Consistent Again for the Noles

• When she's not on the Congress floor talking Name, Image and Likeness, Kaley Mudge has been a consistent force at the top of the lineup for the Seminoles.
• After an offseason surgery, Mudge is back to being healthy and has found herself back at the top of the Seminoles' lineup where she was in 55 out of the 69 games last season.
• Mudge has come on strong the last two weeks as she is hitting . 407 in conference play with two home runs and 3 RBI.

Edenfield Looking to Build Off Hot Start as a Seminole

• After redshirting her freshman season, Michaela Edenfield has taken the sport by storm and has been one of the nation's best power and clutch hitters.
• In her first two seasons, Edenfield has recorded two 50+ RBI seasons. Edenfield is one of just six Seminoles who have ever recorded two 50+ RBI seasons as a Seminole.
• Edenfield joined Jessi Warren and Sydney Sherrill as the only Seminoles to have 50+ RBI in their first two seasons in the Garnet and Gold.
• Edenfield will look to join Warren as the only two Seminoles who have recorded three 50+ RBI seasons. Warren had four 50+ RBI seasons as a Seminole.
• Last season, Edenfield was phenomenal when it mattered most. In 2023, 25 out of her 39 hits (64%) resulted in a run being scored. So far in 2024, 15 out of Edenfield's 31 hits (48%) have resulted in a run being scored.
• Edenfield is hitting .369 this season after having not finished with above a .300 batting average in her first two seasons as a Seminole.
• Edenfield hit her first career walk-off against Nicholls as she hit a single to score a run for the Noles to win the game. Later that day, Edenfield hit a walk-off home run to end the game in the fifth inning against Nicholls.
• Edenfield currently sits fourth in FSU history with 38 career home runs.
• Edenfield has had a great start to the 2024 season as she has hit a team-leading nine home runs and has driven in 26 runs.
• Staying Patient at the plate
• Last season, FSU was one of the best teams in the country at staying patient at the plate and this year doesn't seem to be any different.
• Last season, FSU drew 249 walks which ranked third in the country.
• In 33 games, FSU has drawn 137 walks which is currently ranked 14th in the country.

Speed, Speed and More Speed

• FSU's offensive formula was pretty simple in 2023, get on base and cause chaos on the base paths and nothing has changed in 2024.
• So far this season, FSU has stolen 57 bases on 67 attempts which ranks 34th in the country and third in the ACC.
• FSU led all Power Five schools with 134 stolen bases in 153 tries in 2023.
• FSU's 134 stolen bases ranked ninth in the country and were the fifth-most in school history and the most since the 2018 National Championship team.
• 113 out of the Seminoles 134 stolen bases were by returning players.

Pitching by Committee

• No one has embraced a pitching committee more than Coach Alameda in the last several seasons.
• In 2023, seven different pitchers saw action and five pitchers logged over 40 innings.
• All six of FSU's pitchers have seen action this season.

Doubles on Doubles on Doubles

• No one in the country was better at hitting for extra bases last season than the Florida State Seminoles, and the Seminoles are once again one of the best teams in the country at hitting for extra bases.
• So far in 2024, FSU has hit 57 doubles this season which is the second-most in the ACC and 19th in the country.
• FSU hit a school record 122 doubles in 2023 which was the fifth-most in NCAA history.
• FSU also hit 13 triples last season.
• Kalei Harding led the way with 22 doubles last season which was the second-most in school history.
• Kaley Mudge also hit 18 doubles which was tied for fifth in school history.