FSU kicked off Spring Showcase week Tuesday afternoon with its first of four practices this week. Malik Benson made quite a few wow plays, Trevor Jackson took advantage of a larger number of reps and quite a few linebackers made plays.

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Mike Norvell announced after Tuesday’s practice that QBs Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek will miss the rest of spring as well as the showcase due to minor injuries.

Neither injury will impact them over the summer or preseason camp, Norvell said

FSU sports information:

Florida State women’s track and field student-athlete Alexandra Webster was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Performer of the Week on Tuesday afternoon.

Webster turned in the second-fastest time in program history in the 100-meter hurdles, establishing a career best of 12.77 at the Tom Jones Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. Webster sits behind the record that was set in 2019 by Cortney Jones at 12.72. Her time is currently the fastest in the ACC and third nationally.

"Alexa was consistent during the indoor season and I knew this breakthrough performance was coming,” associate head coach Matt Kane said. “I’m glad she was able to rise to the occasion against top level competition, that bodes well for as we get focused on the post season.”

FSU sports information:

The No. 18 Florida State softball team (31-10, 12-3) looks to keep its hot streak going as they will face Alabama State (21-23, 11-7) for the first time in program history in a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch for game one is at 4 p.m. with game two beginning approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Both games can be seen live on ACC Network Extra.

Noles Starting to Heat Up

• After losing four out of five games to the likes of Alabama, Duke and Texas, the Seminoles have won 13 out of their last 14 games and are right in the thick of the ACC race.
• Seven out of FSU's 13 wins have come via run rule.
• FSU has jumped up to No. 13 in the RPI and has put themselves in great condition to host a regional for the 10th consecutive season.
• FSU has outscored their opponent 123-40 and are averaging 8.78 runs per game in its past 14 games.
• During their eight-game winning streak from Mar. 23-Apr. 3, FSU scored at least eight runs in all eight of those games during the winning streak. That tied the school record for the longest streak of scoring eight or more runs. The last time FSU accomplished the feat was from Mar. 19-31, 2019.
• FSU's pitching has made significant strides over the past 14 games as they hold a 3.22 ERA and have allowed more than five runs just twice in the last 14 games after allowing five or more runs 11 times in the first 27 games.

Limiting the Big Inning

• One key to FSU's recent pitching success has been limiting the big inning.
• In the first 27 games, FSU allowed three or more runs in 17 innings. In the last 14 games, FSU has allowed three more runs in just four innings.
• FSU has also been limiting their free bases in the last 14 games. FSU is allowing just 2.9 free bases per game which is down from 3.5 free bases per game in their first 27 games.
• FSU has also seen a significant improvement in its team ERA as they have posted a 3.22 ERA in the last 14 games compared to a 4.21 ERA in the first 27 games.

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.

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 (.444) and Isa Torres (,378) hold two out of the top three batting averages on the team.
• In the circle, Ashtyn Danley has recorded a team-high 15 starts and 85.1 innings.
• All five freshman hitters have recorded a hit and a RBI this season with Torres, Beachum and Kennedy Harp all recording 10+ hits.
• The six freshmen have made a combined 112 starts this season.
• 131 out of the team's 386 (34%) hits have come from freshmen.
• 90 out of the team's 291RBI (31%) have come from freshmen.
• 42% 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.
• 74% of innings thrown this year have been from either freshman or sophomores.
• 42% of the innings pitched have been from true freshmen.
• Freshmen and sophomores have combined to start 28 out of the Seminoles' 41 games this season.

Get Hot, Stay Hot

• The Florida State offense has been one of the best in the country through the first 38 games of the season.
• FSU is averaging 7.76 runs per game which is fifth in the country and second in the ACC. FSU is hitting .348 as a team which ranks seventh in the country.
• FSU has scored 318 runs through 41 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 311 runs through 41 games.
• In 41 games, FSU has scored 8 or more runs in 25 games. In 69 games last season, FSU scored eight or more runs just 22 times.
• FSU has scored 10 or more runs in 11 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 144-22 at the Seminole Softball Complex.
• In the past two seasons, FSU is 56-9 at the Seminole Softball Complex.

Tallahassee Native Jaysoni Beachum Clicking On All Cylinders

• Jaysoni Beachum has continued to solidify herself as not only one of the best freshmen in the country but as one of the best players in the country
• Beachum, a native of Tallahassee, leads the team with a .444 batting average and 56 hits.
• Beachum has hit eight home runs and driven in 42 runs which is second on the team.
• Beachum has recorded a hit in 31 out of the Seminoles' 41 games this season.
• Out of the 41 games this season, Beachum has had two or more hits in 20 games.
• Beachum has the highest batting average in the county among freshmen and has the 20th-highest batting average in the country.
• Beachum is on pace to break the school record for batting average in a season and needs just 17 RBI to break Sydney Sherril's freshman record of 58 RBI in 2018
• 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 40 starts at the positions. Beachum has committed just three errors this season.
• Beachum was named Softball America's Freshman of the Month in both February and March.

Ocho's Being Ocho

• 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 .358 with a team-high 49 RBI. Her 49 RBI ranks fifth in the ACC.
• In ACC play, Harding is hitting .420 with four home runs and 23 RBI. 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 (55), fourth in school history for career home runs (41), fourth for career RBI (192) and seventh in school history for career slugging percentage (.584).

Mudge Getting Back to Her Consistent Self

• After being slowed down by an offseason surgery, Kaley Mudge has made her way back to the top of the lineup and has been one of FSU's most consistent players in ACC play.
• Mudge is hitting .426 in ACC play with seven RBI.
• Against Notre Dame, Mudge went 7-for-10 (.700) with two doubles and a triple.
• Mudge has been the Seminoles' leadoff hitter in the past 24 games.

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 third on the team in batting average (.378) and has driven in 29 runs this season.
• Torres has continued to make jaw-dropping plays at the shortstop position this season and holds a .966 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 25-1 record for the Seminoles.
• Reid has pitched the second-most innings for the Noles this season with 83 innings and leads the team with a 3.46 ERA.
• 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 15 starts for the Seminoles this season and holds a 10-3 record.
• In her last 10 appearances, Danley has allowed eight earned runs while striking out 37 in 40 innings.
• In ACC play, Danley holds a 3.24 ERA in 41 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 .356 with 28 RBI in 34 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.

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 41 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 ninth in the country.
• Ross is 15th in the country and first in the ACC with 23 stolen bases this season.
• Ross currently holds a .330 batting average with eight home runs which is third on the team.
• Ross has stolen 50 bases in 54 attempts over the course of her career.

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 95 career stolen bases which puts her 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.
• Flaherty has come alive at the plate for the Seminoles during ACC play as she is hitting .344.

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 41 games, FSU has drawn 158 walks which is currently ranked 16th in the country.

FSU nickel cornerback Greedy Vance Jr. shared on Instagram today that he plans to enter the transfer portal, leaving the Seminoles after two seasons.

With the transfer portal set to open again tomorrow, here's an updated look at FSU's scholarship roster.

FSU is 5th in the Baseball America poll coming off a rivalry week sweep. Also, updated with D1baseball poll and Perfect Game poll

Solomon Thomas had been to Miami once prior to Saturday's return trip to Coral Gables, but he admits it wasn't the full Hurricane experience.

That changed this weekend when he was able to take in campus, administration and the UM spring game itself. The academic angle stood out to the five-star recruit.

"It's a beautiful place," Thomas told Rivals/CanesCounty.com's Marcus Benjamin. "It's a private school. Small classrooms, where you're able to have a tight-knit relationship with not only coaches, but professors. We went to a presentation for their ratio, it's like 14 to one....you're actually able to discuss and you're actually able to learn.

"That's something big for me."

Not sure how true it is, but rumor is he is suspended for tonight's game due to the Miami situation, and he will be sitting in the stands with the animals cheering for his teammates tonight. The animals should be extra rowdy, should be a fun game to attend. . .I wish I wasn't 5 hours away.

Florida State enjoyed a short break for the Easter holiday. And then the Seminoles were back at it, a two-game midweek slate followed by a long road trip to Boston and then a wild rivalry week.

FSU played nine games in 12 days, and it of course helps when six are inside Dick Howser Stadium. But even an early start time at Boston College on April 7 resulted in a late arrival, about 1:30 a.m. in Tallahassee the following day. That wasn’t much sleep before round 3 with Florida, and battles ahead with a short-handed pitching staff.

“This team has responded better than any team I’ve been around,” FSU coach Link Jarrett said. “Some of the challenges that we’ve faced in innings, in tough losses, that’s what stands out to me the most about walking in (Saturday) after this game is just their response to everything that’s been thrown at them. And a lot of it is good. But you have to respond to good stuff positively to stack some good things. I was so excited for our fans to see games like this.”

Overflow crowds in four rivalry week games, including the most to ever watch a weekend series (19,157) in Dick Howser Stadium history, saw a domination of the Gators and some gritty wins over Miami. The Seminoles are 8-1 in April, a month where the team’s ranking has skyrocketed into the top 10 of every poll as well as No. 5 in Baseball America’s rankings.

Joy McCorvey spent three seasons at Florida State on Sue Semrau's staff and served as the associate head coach for the 2020-21 season (Brooke Wyckoff's season as interim head coach). Over her three seasons at FSU, the Seminoles posted a 58-26 record and made two trips to the NCAA Tournament.

FSU sports information:

The No. 18 Florida State softball team (31-10, 12-3) accomplished its series sweep against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (23-17, 7-11), 10-2, on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at JoAnne Graf Field.

The Seminoles opened the scoring early in the bottom of the first inning. After a single through the left side by Kalei Harding, Jahni Kerr slammed a home run to left field scoring both, bringing the score to 2-0 at the bottom of the first.

Florida State was right back at it in the second inning, starting with Amaya Ross reaching first base on a single to third and making it to third thanks to a Devyn Flaherty single through the right side. Madi Frey would score both after hitting a double deep into left field, doubling the Seminoles lead to 4-0 at the bottom of the second. It was Frey's third hit of her career and her second hit of the series.

After a scoreless third inning, the Noles went back to business kicking off with a single up the middle by Flaherty, who would advance to second thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Frey. Kaley Mudge would score Flaherty with a single to right field. Autumn Belviy would take over running duties for Mudge as a pinch runner. Jaysoni Beachum would knock a homer out to left field, scoring herself and Belviy to give the Noles a commanding 7-0 lead after the fourth inning.

The visiting Fighting Irish threatened the Noles with runners on base throughout the first four innings but would not see a run score until the top of the fifth and then add an additional score in the sixth to bring the score to 7-2.

Florida State would not take those scores sitting down as the Noles struck back immediately in the sixth. After hitting a double to right center, Mudge would reach home off the heels of a Beachum double to right field. Kennedy Harp then hit a double of her own to left center, scoring Beachum. Isa Torres sealed the contest on a run rule with a single up the middle to score Harp.

The Seminoles saw a solid performance from the circle during the matchup. Emma Wilson made her fourth start of the season to begin the contest, not allowing a single run during her 1.1 innings.

Ashtyn Danley would take over for Wilson in the second inning. Danley would stay in the circle for the next 2.2 innings, earning one strikeout on 11 batters faced and zero runs. Danley was credited with the win to improve to 10-3 on the year.

Makenna Reid took over pitching duties at the top of the fifth inning. Reid would finish out the remainder of the game in the circle for the Seminoles, recording one strikeout on 11 batters faced and preventing a Notre Dame comeback.

Florida State's will face off against Alabama State for a mid-week doubleheader at home at JoAnne Graf Field on Wednesday. The first of the two games will start at 4 p.m. with the follow-up starting shortly after.

Two 2025 prospects committed to other schools over the weekend. LB Elijah Barnes committed to Texas and defensive end Anthony Addison committed to South Carolina.

This wasn't unexpected in either case. Barnes had stopped talking to FSU directly when I last spoke with him in late March. He told me at that time that his father was taking all his calls from FSU. Barnes was a high on the Seminoles before and after his visit, but it was always going to be hard to get him out of the Lone Star state.

Addison raved about his unofficial visit to FSU last month but early last week announced that he would be committing somewhere on Friday, somewhere was South Carolina.

This is a great chance to hear Mike Norvell's thoughts about the team on the evening before Saturday's Seminole Showcase and to have some fun with fellow Seminoles!

In addition to Norvell, a panel of wrters from The Osceola, 247Sports and Warchant will offer their candid observations this spring, along with the Voice of the Seminoles Jeff Culhane who will be our emcee.
There's a silent auction with autographed memorabilia, and valuable items donated to benefit The Battle's End, which is the beneficiary of the event.

Tickets ($40 plus fees) are going fast so secure yours today at MoonEvents.com

If you have questions, want to become a sponsor or donate an item for the silent auction, contact Jerry Kutz 850.508.8690 or at jukutz@theosceola.com


Norvell to speak Friday at the Moon 5-730

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Omaha (Neb.) Millard South TE Chase Loftin was in Tallahassee for the first time late last week to check out FSU.

"It was great man! I had a really good time," Loftin said. "I really liked the coaches especially Coach Norvell."

The Midwest seems to grow these tight ends on trees these days and the Seminoles are looking to get him back on campus for an official visit. Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Kansas State (where his brother plays) are all pushing hard as well.

Seems like AAU accreditation is a big issue to B1G. There’s rumors that they’re considering kicking U Nebraska out of the conference for losing their accreditation. Even if, I’m, & usf have AAU accreditation.

So why doesn’t FSU? It’s an academic and research based accreditation. Where does FSU fall short where three other schools in Florida meet the requirements?

Evan Hume ‘69

Tomiwa Durojaiye relishes the fact that he's the only FSU defensive lineman splitting time between end and tackle this spring. The West Virginia transfer has an impressive size/speed combo that could make him the next impact tweener FSU defensive lineman.

Lottie Woad has played some impressive golf in her first two seasons at Florida State. In 17 tournaments, she has finished under par 13 times and is 49 strokes under par in 50 rounds.

The Florida State sophomore was at her best on the back nine last Saturday, winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 17 and 18.

“It’s definitely a cool way to win it,” Woad said. “Coming back from being two back was difficult but there’s not many people who can say they birdied the last two or three of the last four (holes) at Augusta. I’m definitely up there with some really cool people.”

With a 6-4 win Saturday, No. 10 FSU baseball completed a regular-season sweep of both Miami and Florida for the first time since 1960. Cam Smith completed a big week with a three-RBI game and Andrew Armstrong rose to the occasion out of the bullpen.