Softball FSU begins pivotal three-game series at Virginia Tech on Friday

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU sports information:

The No. 9 Florida State softball team (42-7, 16-2) travels to No. 15 Virginia Tech (39-8, 17-4) for the regular season finale with the ACC Regular Season Championship on the line. Game one is set for 6 p.m. on Friday on ACCNX with Saturday's and Sunday's games set for 4 p.m. on the ACC Network. Kyle Marshak (Play by Play) and Kelsey Horton (Color) will be on the call on Friday with Pam Ward (Play by Play) and Jenny Dalton-Hill (Color) on the call Saturday and Sunday.

Noles Take on Hokies with ACC Regular Season Title on the Line

• Florida State heads to Blacksburg this weekend with an ACC Regular Season Championship on the line against the No. 14 Virginia Tech Hokies.
• FSU needs to beat Virginia Tech just once to win its 15th ACC Regular Season Championship and secure the No. 1 seed at the ACC Tournament next week in Brighton, Massachusetts.
• A win would mean FSU would win its 34th combined ACC Championship (Regular Season and Tournament). That mark is the most of any team in the country.
• A win would be Coach Alameda’s eighth ACC Regular Season Championship at Florida State.
• FSU has won seven out of the last 10 ACC Regular Season Championships.
• Virginia Tech comes into this weekend with a 39-8 overall record and a 17-4 record in ACC play.
• FSU has a chance to pick up a couple of huge RPI wins to help solidify its spot as a national Top 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Virginia Tech is currently ranked 17th in the RPI.
• The Hokies took two out of three games at Cal last weekend. The Hokies have ranked wins over Northwestern, Alabama, Liberty (2x), Virginia (2x) and Stanford (3x).

Noles’ History Against the Field

• FSU leads the overall series 36-20 and has won the last five meetings against the Hokies.
• FSU leads the series in Blacksburg 17-7.
• FSU has not lost in Blacksburg since 2012. FSU has won the last 14 games in Blacksburg.
• In FSU’s five-game win streak against the Hokies, they have outscored Va Tech 42-18.

Last Time Out

• After a week off, FSU headed to Louisville and took the series from the Cardinals.
• FSU won game one, 10-9, game two, 3-0, and fell in the series finale, 2-0.
• Jazzy Francik led the way in the circle with a win and a save over the weekend and did not allow an earned run in 6.1 innings. Offensively, Katie Dack led the way with a .400 batting average.

FSU Still Proving It Is One of the Top Teams in the country

• There is no need to overthink it. FSU is one of the top teams in the country in one of the nation’s top conferences.
• In a conference that is ranked second in the RPI and has 10 teams in the top 50 RPI including five teams in the top 25, FSU has continued to be dominant in ACC play and is in the driver’s seat to win another ACC Championship.
• FSU is the ONLY team in the Power Four conferences to not lose a conference series this season.
• Out of the teams in the top 10 in the RPI, FSU has the second-most wins away from home with 24.
• FSU had the second-strongest non conference strength of schedule among teams in the top 10 of the RPI.
• FSU is 3-2 against the SEC this season with wins over Florida, Alabama and Missouri. They outscored those opponents 18-3.

Noles Getting Hot at the Right Time

• Florida State softball is beginning to look like Florida State softball once again as the Noles enter the final month of the regular season
• FSU is 42-7 and 16-2 in ACC play. FSU’s 16-1 start was the program’s best start since finishing 24-0 in ACC play in 2017.
• FSU won 14 consecutive games from Mar. 11-April 2 and have won 31 out of its last 35 games.
• The Noles have seven wins over ranked foes this season and has 17 wins over teams ranked in the top 50 of the RPI (Oklahoma State, Missouri, Ohio State, UCF, North Florida, Alabama, Duke (3x), Florida, Virginia (2x), Cal (3x) and Louisville (2x). FSU is currently ranked No. 7 in the RPI.
• FSU’s run-rule win over No. 4 Oklahoma State was the second time FSU has run ruled a top-five opponent. The only other time FSU run ruled a top-five opponent was Feb. 8, 2020, against No. 1 Alabama.
• Four out of FSU’s seven losses are to teams ranked in the top 10 of the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25. Six out of FSU’s seven losses have been by three runs or less.
• FSU also run ruled No. 16 Missouri in the first game of the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational. FSU’s run-rule wins over No. 4 Oklahoma State and No. 16 Missouri was the first time FSU has run ruled ranked opponents in back-to-back games.
• FSU has had two instances where they have had five-consecutive run-rule wins this season. FSU won five games via run rule from Feb. 8-15 and again from Feb. 27-Mar. 1. Both of those streaks are tied for the second-longest in school history and the longest since 2019.
• The Noles finished the Clearwater Invitational undefeated with a 4-0 record. FSU finished undefeated at the Clearwater Invitational for the third time which is a tournament record.

Built to Finish

• A Lonni Alameda team seems to always play its best ball in April and May and they look to be on the same path this year.
• Since the 2021 season, FSU is 102-17-1 in the months of April and May.

Starting Fast

• The recipe to success has been fairly simple for the Noles this season: start fast.
• FSU has outscored its opponents 82-20 in the first inning and holds a 27-1 record when they score in the first inning.
• FSU is 32-1 this season when they score first compared to 10-6 when the opponent scores first.
• FSU is 36-1 when they lead after four innings.

Noles’ Offense Proving to be One of Best in the Country

• After posting one of the top offenses in program history in 2024, FSU has picked up right where they left off and are off to a blistering start in 2025.
• FSU is third in the country with 480 hits and fifth in the country with 387 runs.
• FSU is second in the ACC with 7.90 runs per game which also ranks sixth in the country.
• The Noles are hitting .359 which is first in the ACC and second in the country.
• The Noles lead the ACC in batting average (.359), on base percentage (.445), RBI (358) and total runs (387).
• FSU ranks in the top 10 nationally in hits (2nd), batting average (2nd), hits, RBI (5th), total runs (5th), runs per game (6th), on base percentage (7th), triples (7th) and slugging percentage (.595).
• In 2024, FSU scored 456 runs last season which was the second-most in FSU history and was just four runs short of breaking the school record, and they broke the 2019 team’s batting average record as the Noles hit .332 last season. FSU is on pace to break both of those records this season.
• FSU also hit the second-most home runs in school history with 89, trailing the 2019 team that hit 105 home runs.

Noles Continuing Legacy of Great Pitching

• Under the guidance of Head Coach Lonni Alameda, the FSU pitching staff looks to be back to its regular self this season.
• After a 2024 season that saw the Noles post a 3.71 ERA which ranked 150th in the country, FSU has been phenomenal in the circle so far this year.
• FSU leads the ACC with a 2.19 ERA which ranks 9th in the country.
• The Noles have been pitching by committee this season as four pitchers have pitched more than 55 innings with no player pitching more than 80 innings. FSU has four players with a 2.30 ERA or lower.
• Jazzy Francik is second in the ACC with a 1.70 ERA, and Ashtyn Danley is third in the ACC with a 1.71 ERA. Annabelle Widra is sixth in the ACC with a 2.28 ERA.
• FSU has been terrific at pounding the zone as they lead the ACC and rank fourth in the entire country in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.05).
• FSU has surrendered just 64 walks this season which is the fewest in the entire country.

Torres Becoming One of Nation’s Top Hitters and Shortstops

• Few have had as good of a season as Isa Torres this season as she has been money for FSU at the top of the lineup.
• Torres is hitting .443 with seven home runs and 39 RBI.
• Torres has recorded 78 hits this season which is third in the entire country and leads the ACC.
• Torres has recorded a hit in 41 out of FSU’s 49 games this season and has reached base in 44 out of the 49 games this season.
• Torres has been FSU’s leadoff hitter in 45 of the 49 games this season after being in the leadoff position just twice last season.
• Torres has struck out just three times this season in 176 at bats.
• Torres is also third on the team with nine stolen bases.
• Torres was named a Top 25 Finalist for the USA Softball National Player of the Year on Wednesday.
• Torres finished 2024 with a .356 batting average alone with nine home runs and 57 RBI. Her 57 RBI are tied for the second-most ever by a FSU freshman behind Beachum. Her nine home runs were the fourth-most by a FSU freshman and her .356 batting average was the sixth-highest average by a FSU freshman.
• Torres was rock solid at shortstop for the Noles as she started 61 games at the position where she had just seven errors in 191 attempts.
• Torres earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2024 and was ranked the 19th overall player by Softball America and the 29th overall player by D1Sofball heading into the 2025 season.

Kerr Having One of Her Best Seasons in Her Career

• Jahni Kerr has been a consistent staple in the Noles’ lineup the last three seasons and 2025 has been no different.
• After somewhat of a slow start, Kerr has been on fire since conference play has started. In 18 ACC games, Kerr leads the team with a .491 batting average with three home runs and 20 RBI. Her .491 average is the highest average of any player in ACC play.
• In total, Kerr is hitting .402 with seven home runs and 36 RBI.
• Kerr has driven in a run in the last six games she’s played.
• Kerr had a career game against No. 2 Florida last Wednesday. Kerr drove in all four runs against the Gators as she hit two two-run home runs to power FSU to the win. It was Kerr’s first multi-home run game of her career and she tied her career high with four RBI.
• Kerr one-upped her performance against the Gators with a two-home run and six RBI performance against Cal on April 13.
• Kerr has recorded a hit in 21 out of her last 22 games.
• Kerr earned ACC Player of the Week on April 8 then was named a Softball America Star of the Week on April 15.
• Kerr is a two-time All-ACC performer as she earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2023 and Third Team honors in 2024.

Francik Becoming A Top Pitcher in the ACC and Top Freshman in the Country

• A true freshman and one of the best high school pitchers in Florida, Jazzy Francik has continued to improve and has become one of the best pitchers in the ACC and one of the top freshmen in the country.
• Francik has made six starts and pitched 74.1 innings.
• Francik has posted a 1.70 ERA with a 8-2 record. Her 1.70 ERA is the second-best ERA among freshmen in the country and the second-best ERA in the ACC.
• Francik has been terrific as of late. In her last eight appearances, Francik has allowed just two earned runs in 24.2 innings. In her last two starts, Francik has pitched 13 scoreless innings while allowing just five hits and striking out 18.
• Francik has struck out 71 batters compared to 14 walks.
• Francik has come up in huge moments for FSU this season and has recorded seven saves this season which is the second-most in program history for a single season.
• Francik had the best game of her young career last week against Saint Mary’s where she threw a complete game shutout with 12 strikeouts. Francik is the first Nole to pitch a complete game this season and her 12 strikeouts were the most by a Seminole since Meghan King in 2019.
• Francik earned ACC Pitcher of the Week on Apr. 15 for her performance against Saint Mary’s and Cal. She joined Makenna Reid as the only true freshman at FSU to win the award since 2012.
• In her first two appearances of her collegiate career, Francik recorded a win and a save. She joined Bailey Schinella (2012) as the only freshmen in FSU history to record a win and a save in their first two college appearances.

Edenfield Continues To Be Consistent in the Batter’s Box for FSU

• After posting her most consistent season in 2024, Edenfield is coming up big for the Noles once again.
• Edenfield is hitting .344 with seven home runs and 43 RBI to go along with a team-high 33 walks.
• In 18 ACC games, Edenfield is hitting .375 with three home runs and 17 RBI along with 14 walks for a .537 on base percentage.
• Out of her 42 hits this season, 21 of them have resulted in a RBI.
• Edenfield recorded a hit in eight out of her first 10 at bats at the Clearwater Invitational including a great performance against Wichita State where she went 4-for-4 with one home run and three RBI. Her four hits were the most in a game in her career.
• Edenfield hit a career-best .381 last season, which was second on the team, to go along with her 15 home runs and 46 RBI.
• Edenfield has hit 51 career home runs which ranks third in FSU history. Edenfield needs three home runs to pass Maddie O’Brien for second. Jessi Warren holds the school record with 83 career home runs.
• Edenfield is fifth all-time in FSU history with 194 RBI.
• Edenfield posted a slugging percentage of .806 last year which was the fourth-best mark in school history. In her career, Edenfield is slugging .665 which is currently second in FSU history.
• Edenfield also ranks in the top 10 in school history for career walks.
• Edenfield earned Third Team NFCA All-America honors for the first time in her career and was also named First Team All-ACC for the first time in her career.
• In her first two seasons, Edenfield has recorded two 50+ RBI seasons. Edenfield is one of just seven 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.

Dack Giving the Noles Great Production

• Katie Dack has regained her power to become one of the most dangerous bats in the Seminole lineup.
• Dack leads the team with 12 home runs and is second on the team with 42 RBI. Dack’s 42 RBI are a career high.
• Dack is hitting .336 which is also a career high.
• In ACC play, Dack leads the team with 20 RBI in 15 conference games.
• Last season, Dack had just three home runs and 10 RBI.
• Dack was named to the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge All-Tournament Team.

Kennedy Harp Having Breakout Season for FSU

• Kennedy Harp has burst onto the scene for the Seminoles this season to become one of FSU’s top hitters.
• Harp is hitting .412 with nine home runs, 49 RBI, seven doubles and 10 triples.
• Harp’s 10 triples is second in the country and is the third-most in school history. Harp needs just one triples to tie the school record and two triples to break the school record. Harp is eight triples away from breaking the 21-year old NCAA record.
• Harp has also shown her speed on the base paths as she is 15-for-18 on stolen bases which is second on the team.
• Harp recorded a RBI in each of her first 10 games. Her RBI streak of 10 games is the longest streak in program history.
• Harp also recorded a hit in her first 14 games.

Danley Coming On Strong for the Seminoles

• Ashtyn Danley came on strong for the Noles late in the 2024 season and took the role as the Noles’ top pitcher as injuries decimated the FSU pitching staff. In 2025, Danley has taken another step in the circle in a very talented pitching room.
• Danley leads the team with 77.2 innings and is second on the team with 1.71 ERA.
• Danley holds a 10-1 record this season in 28 appearances.
• Danley had one of her best outings as a Seminole as she shut down No. 2 Florida on April 2 who had a top 10 offense going into the game. Danley threw four scoreless innings to help FSU win 4-0.
• Danley made a team-high 21 starts and pitched a team-high 142.1 innings for the Noles in 2024.

Beachum Looks to Continue to be One of Top Hitters in the Country

• Jaysoni Beachum put up some of the best numbers in FSU history last season as a freshman and is putting together another great season for the Garnet and Gold.
• Beachum is hitting .333 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI.
• Beachum hit .417 last season which was the third-best mark in FSU history and was the highest batting average ever by a freshman in FSU history.
• Beachum drove in 66 runs which broke the FSU freshman record and was the most RBI in a season by a Seminole since Jessi Warren in 2018. Beachum also hit 16 home runs which was tied for the sixth-most ever in FSU history.
• Beachum was named the TUCCI/NFCA National Freshman of the Year and earned Second Team All-America honors. Beachum was the first Nole and ACC player to win the award and became the first FSU freshman since Sydney Sherrill to be named a NFCA All-American.
• Beachum was phenomenal at the hot corner for the Noles as she committed just five errors in 154 attempts at third base.

Widra Pitching Well for the Noles

• After pitching just 41.2 innings last season, Widra has been phenomenal in her 64.1 innings she’s pitched for FSU this season.
• In those 64.1 innings, Widra has posted a 2.28 ERA with 42 strikeouts.
• Widra has been phenomenal at throwing strikes this season as she has allowed just six walks compared to 42 strikeouts.
• Widra leads the country in walks allowed per seven innings (0.65) and fifth in the country in strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.00). Both marks are first in the ACC.

Apsel Brings Valued Experience to Noles’ Pitching Staff

• Apsel brings a lot of experience in the circle after three seasons at Hofstra.
• Apsel has been great for the Seminoles this season. She holds a 12-0 record with a 3.12 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 58.1 innings.
• Apsel is the fourth player since 2000 to win their first 10 decisions as a Seminole. Apsel joins Meghan King (2017), Kathryn Sandercock (2019) and Makenna Reid (2023).
• Apsel has pitched 472.1 innings in her collegiate career with a 2.62 career ERA and 358 strikeouts.
• Apsel had her best season last year as she posted a 1.39 ERA.
• Apsel pitched 20 complete games which ranked 15th in the country in 2024.
• Apsel performed phenomenally against Power Five opponents this season. Against the NCAA Tournament qualifying Penn State Nittany Lions, Apsel threw 6.1 innings and allowed just two earned runs on seven hits while striking out three. Against the National Runner-Up Texas Longhorns, Apsel pitched 6.0 innings and allowed just four runs to one of the nation’s top offenses. Apsel and the Pride were one of just two non-Power Five teams to hold Texas to five runs or less this season and was one of three unranked teams to hold the Longhorns to under five runs this season. Maybe Apsel’s most impressive performance of the 2024 season came against Missouri who entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 7 overall seed and was one win away from the Women’s College world Series. Apsel shut down the Tigers as she pitched all nine innings of the thriller and allowed just two runs on four hits to the Tigers while striking out six.

She’s Golden: Michaela Edenfield Earns Golden Ticket and a Spot in the AUSL Draft

• A special night was capped off with a special moment on Wednesday night as senior catcher Michaela Edenfield was presented with a Golden Ticket and will play professionally for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
• Edenfield has been with the Seminoles since 2021 and has become a household name in the Florida State community.
• Edenfield has played in over 215 games for the Noles, featuring her razzle dazzle makeup along with wearing the Garnet and Gold jersey.
• Edenfield is a three-time All-ACC performer and was also named to the 2022 and 2023 NFCA Southeast All-Region third team, 2023 WCWS All-Tournament Team, 2024 NFCA Second Team All-Southeast region, and named a 2024 NFCA Third Team All-American.
• Edenfield will finish her career in the top 10 in FSU history in career home runs, RBI, walks and putouts.