Softball FSU softball begins homestand with DH vs. South Dakota State

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU sports information:

The No. 16 Florida State softball team (15-5) begins their seven-game homestand with a couple of midweek matchups as the Noles will host South Dakota State in a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m. on ACCNX with Ariya Massoudi and Jack Kavovit on the call . FSU will turn right around and host No. 10 Alabama on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on the ACC Network. Beth Mowins and Michelle Smith will be on the call for the top 25 matchup.

The Start of a Gauntlet

• In the next 8 days, Florida State is slated to host 7 total games at the Seminole Softball Complex, six of those games are against teams ranked in the top 10 and four of those games are currently ranked in the top 5.
• This will be just the second time in school history that FSU has played five consecutive games at the Seminole Softball Complex against top 10 opponents and the third time that FSU has played five consecutive games at home against ranked opponents.

Comfortable in the Spotlight

• The Florida State softball program has found themselves in the spotlight more than they have ever been and few have been better in big moments than the Seminoles.
• Since 2022, FSU has played 51 televised games and have posted an unbelievable 44-7 record in those games.
• FSU is 17-4 in their last 21 games against ranked opponents.

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 133-17 at the Seminole Softball Complex.
• In the past two seasons, FSU is 45-4 at the Seminole Softball Complex.

Fast Start for the Offense

• The Florida State offense has been one of the best in the country through the first 20 games of the season.
• FSU is averaging 8.05 runs per game which is the best in the ACC and is fifth in the country. FSU is .350 as a team which ranks 10th in the country.
• FSU has scored 161 runs through 20 games this season which is the most runs through 20 games in the fastpitch era of FSU softball and is the most since 1978.
• In 20 games, FSU has scored 8 or more runs in 13 games. In 69 games last season, FSU scored eight or more runs just 22 times.
• FSU has scored 10 or more runs in five games so far this season after accomplishing that feat just eight times last season.
• 14 players have recorded a hit this season and four players (Beachum, Kerr, Ross and Edenfield) are all hitting above .375.

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 20 games this season after making just 18 starts the past two seasons.
• 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 four triples is tied for third in the country.
• Ross is tied for seventh in the country with 16 stolen bases this season.
• Ross is the only player in the ACC to steal 15+ bases without being caught and is one of five players in the country and one of two players among power five conferences to steal 15+ bases without being caught.
• Ross is third on the team with a .408 batting average.
• Ross has stolen 43 bases in 46 attempts over the course of her career.

A Top 10 Shutout

• In the first game of the Clearwater Invitational, the Seminole pitching shut down No. 9 Stanford in a 4-0 win.
• Allison Royalty and Ashtyn Danley combined for a complete game shutout while allowing just five hits while striking out two.
• The shutout against Stanford was just the third time since 2018 that FSU had shut out a top 10 opponent.
• FSU was one of just two teams to shut out their opponent at the Clearwater Invitational joining Stanford who had a 1-0 win over Tennessee.

Tallahassee Native Jaysoni Beachum Clicking on All Cylinders

• Jaysoni Beachum has continued to be one of the biggest bright spots for the Noles to start the season.
• Beachum, a native of Tallahassee, leads the team with a .477 batting average and 31 hits.
• Beachum has hit six home runs and driven in a team high 21 runs.
• Beachum has recorded a hit in 20 out of the Seminoles’ 22 games this season.
• In her last eight games, Beachum has hit five home runs and driven in 11 runs.
• Beachum has the third-highest batting average among freshmen in the country and the 17th 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 19 starts at the positions. Beachum has committed just two errors this season.

Ocho’s Hot Start

• Few had a hotter start to the season than Kalei Harding this season.
• Harding is currently hitting .343 with 21 RBI and four home runs.
• 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.
• Against Charlotte, Harding hit two home runs, one being a grand slam, on her way to a seven RBI game.
• Her seven RBI tied Anna Shelnutt (2017) for the school record for RBI in a single game.
• Harding is fifth all-time in school history for career doubles (49), tied for sixth in school history for career home runs (36), sixth for career RBI (164) 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 hitting .313 with 15 RBI and has made countless jaw dropping plays at shortstop including a Sportscenter Top 10 catch against Stanford at the Clearwater Invitational.
• Torres brought home seven runs this past weekend at the FGCU Spring Break Classic.
• Torres came through in the bottom of the seventh against Texas Tech as she hit a walk-off single to take down the Red Raiders 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.
• In her last four appearances, Reid has pitched 12.2 innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out 14 batters.
• In her first 9.1 innings at the FGCU Spring Break Classic, Reid allowed just two hits while striking out 10 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.

How ‘Bout Those Freshmen??

• The No. 3 overall 2023 recruiting class made quite the impact on opening weekend.
• All six freshmen have made a start for the Seminoles this season and all have recorded a hit.
• Jaysoni Beachum and Isa Torres have each started every game for the Seminoles this season.
• Ashtyn Danley has made nine starts this season for the Noles in the circle. Danley’s best performance came against Stanford where she held the Cardinal scoreless for the final two innings to earn her first career save. Danley currently holds a 2-0 record.
• Mimi Gooden has made seven appearances in the circle for the Noles including a start against Florida A&M where she threw a complete game shutout. Gooden has allowed just five earned runs in 15.1 innings for a 2.28 ERA.
• Angelee Bueno made the start at first against Texas Tech. In six at bats, Bueno has recorded three hits. Bueno has also scored three runs.
• Kennedy Harp made her first career start against FGCU on March 10. Harp hit her first career home run against Purdue on March 8. Harp has five hits this season which include one single, two doubles, a triple and a home run.

Kerr Continues Hot Streak

• Redshirt junior Jahni Kerr is back for the Seminoles after a breakout season in 2023.
• 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 went on to start 58 out of the Seminoles’ remaining 59 games in 2023 and became one of FSU’s top hitters.
• 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.
• So far this season, Kerr is hitting .412 with 15 RBI including one home run.

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 is sitting at 89 career stolen bases and needs 1 stolen base to move to eighth, 5 for seventh, 17 for sixth and 32 for fifth.
• Flaherty was one of four players in the NCAA in 2023 to steal 30 or more bases while only being caught once.
• Flaherty is coming off her best weekend of the season at the FGCU Spring Break Classic. Flaherty hit .364 over the weekend, driving in two runs and going a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen bases.

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.
• Mudge was FSU’s leadoff hitter in 55 out of the 69 games in 2023.
• Mudge ended the season second on the team in batting average (.346) while adding five home runs and 43 RBI.
• Mudge also continued to make highlight plays in left as she made three jaw dropping home run robberies against Oklahoma, Duke and Virginia Tech.

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, 11 out of Edenfield’s 21 hits (52%) have resulted in a run being scored.
• 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 fifth in FSU history with 37 career home runs.
• Edenfield has had a great start to the 2024 season as she has hit a team-leading eight home runs and has driven in 22 runs while hitting .396.