Softball FSU to host Florida Gulf Coast, Mercer and Charleston in three-day tournament

[Bob Ferrante]

The No. 8 Florida State softball team will host five games in three days as part of the Dugout Club Classic at JoAnne Graf Field. The Noles will host Florida Gulf Coast, Mercer and Charleston. FSU will kick off the tournament at 6 p.m. on Thursday against FGCU. The Noles will face the Eagles again on Friday at 3 p.m. before playing Mercer at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. FSU will wrap up the tournament with a rematch against Mercer at 3 p.m. on Saturday and a duel with Charleston at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. All games can be seen live on ACCNX.

Noles Home Again for Dugout Club Classic

• FSU will be in the friendly confines of JoAnne Graf Field for the second consecutive weekend as they host Charleston, Florida Gulf Coast and Mercer.
• Florida Gulf Coast is coming off its best season in recent memory as the earned their second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the ASUN Conference Championship. FGCU fell to Florida in the Gainesville Regional last season. FGCU is currently 6-12 this season.
• Charleston finished 2024 with a 10-39 record and are currently 3-10 in 2025. Saturday’s game will be just the third time Charleston has played a Power 4 opponent in the last two seasons.
• Mercer finished 23-30 last season and is currently 7-6 this season with a Power 4 win against Illinois on Feb. 13 in Nashville, Tenn.
• There will be some familiar faces at The Plex this weekend as 2024 graduates Devyn Flaherty and Kalei Harding are on Mercer’s coaching staff. Flaherty is an assistant coach while Harding is a graduate manager.

Noles’ History Against the Field

• FSU has a combined 43-1 record all-time against the three opponents at the Dugout Club Classic this weekend.
• FSU leads the series with FGCU 11-1. The teams last met in Fort Myers last March where the two teams split the two games they played each other.
• FSU has never lost to Mercer. In the last five matchups, FSU has outscored the Bears 23-4.
• FSU and Charleston have not met since 2001 and have only played twice when they faced off in the Sunshine State Tournament in Tallahassee. FSU won both matchups in 2001 and outscored the Cougars 17-1.

Noles Off to Good Start in 2025

• FSU has gotten off to a great start in 2025 with an 11-3 record and is ranked in the top 10 in all major polls.
• After dropping the first game of the season to No. 4 Oklahoma State, FSU won 11-consecutive games, six via run rule, and outscored its opponents 92-17 during the 11-game stretch.
• 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.
• 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 run ruled five consecutive opponents from Feb. 8-15 which was the second longest streak in school history and the longest streak 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.

Noles’ Offense Picking Up Right Where It Left Off in 2024

• 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.
• The Noles are hitting. 361 as a team which ranks second in the ACC and 16th in the entire country. FSU ranks 14th in the country in slugging percentage (.607), 12th in the country in on base percentage (.462) and 23rd in the country with 7.50 runs per game.
• 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.
• FSU broke the 2019 team’s batting average record as the Noles hit .332 last season.
• FSU also hit the second-most home runs in school history with 89, trailing the 2019 team that hit 105 home runs.

Noles Getting Great Production in the Circle

• Under the guidance of Head Coach Lonni Alameda, the FSU pitching staff looks to be back to its regular self through the first nine games of the season.
• As a team, FSU has posted a 2.33 ERA which ranks 33rd in the country and fifth in the ACC.
• FSU has been terrific at pounding the zone as they rank fifth in the ACC in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.96).

Plenty of Reasons for Optimism for the Noles

• After a rare absence from the Women’s College World Series in 2024, FSU is looking to get back to its winning ways in 2025 and have the pieces to do so.
• Since 2014, FSU has never had back-to-back seasons where they did not make the Women’s College World Series (excluding 2020 when the WCWS was not held due to COVID-19).
• FSU returns two NFCA All-Americans in Jaysoni Beachum and Michaela Edenfield. The last time FSU returned two or more NFCA All-Americans was in 2018 when Jessi Warren and Morgan Klaevmann returned from All-America campaigns in 2017. FSU went on to win the National Championship in 2018.
• The Noles also added some key pieces and depth in the circle as they hope to continue the great pitching legacy under Head Coach Lonni Alameda.
• FSU returned 915.2 innings between all six of their pitchers which is the second-most returning innings in the country behind Texas A&M.
• FSU returns Second Team All-ACC pitcher Ashtyn Danley who led the Noles in innings pitched in the 2024 season. 2023 All-ACC performer Makenna Reid returns for the Noles and is healthy following a back injury late in the 2024 season. FSU also returns Mimi Gooden who pitched 54.1 innings for the Noles as a freshman in 2024 and came on late in the postseason.
• FSU adds three key pieces to the circle in transfers Julia Apsel (Hofstra) and Annabelle Widra (Auburn) and freshman Jazzy Francik. Apsel and Widra have combined to throw 567.2 innings in their collegiate careers. Francik was ranked a top 10 pitcher coming out of high school by Softball America.
• FSU also brings in the No. 5 recruiting class in the country in Francik, Addie DeLong, Shelby McKenzie and Isabella Ruggiero.

Kennedy Harp Off to Hot Start for the Noles

• Kennedy Harp has been unconscious in the batter’s box for the Noles so far this season.
• Harp is hitting a remarkable .585 with four home runs, 22 RBI, four doubles and four triples. 12 out of her 24 hits have been for extra bases.
• 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 is also on a 14-game hitting streak.
• Harp’s .585 average is the best among Power 4 players who have recorded at least 40 at bats.
• Harp leads the ACC in batting average (.585), RBI (22), on base percentage (.667), slugging percentage (1.171), total bases (48) and triples (4).
• Harp’s 19 RBI in her first 10 games is the second-most ever in FSU history. Maddie O’Brien had 21 RBI through 10 games.
• Harp has already surpassed her 2024 season totals for hits and RBI.
• At the Clearwater Invitational, Harp was 9-for-12 (.750) with three home runs and eight RBI.
• Harp ended the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge with a .667 average (10-for-15), 10 RBI, three triples, two doubles, one home run and four runs.
• Harp was named the ACC Player of the Week following her performance at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.

Torres Having Great Start at the Top of Seminoles’ Lineup

• Isa Torres has had a great start for the Seminoles this season and has shifted nicely into the leadoff position of the Seminoles’ lineup.
• Torres is hitting .540 with three home runs and 11 RBI. Her .540 average is second in the ACC behind Harp and is 19th in the country.
• Torres leads the ACC with 27 hits. That mark ranks fourth in the entire country
• Torres has been FSU’s leadoff hitter in 11 of the 14 games this season after being in the leadoff position just twice last season.
• Torres has not struck out this season. Torres is the only player in the ACC to not strike out in 50 or more at bats.
• 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 and was ranked the 19th overall player by Softball America and the 29th overall player by D1Softball.

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.
• 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.
• Beachum is off to a great start as she’s hitting .357 with two home runs and seven RBI.

Edenfield Continues to Build Off 2024 Campaign

• After hitting just .213 and not recording a RBI in Puerto Vallarta Michaela Edenfield hs gotten back to her regular self the last two weeks.
• In her last nine games, Edenfield is 12-for-24 (.500) with three home runs and 16 RBI.
• Out of her 12 hits in the last nine games, seven have been for extra bases and eight 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 47 career home runs which ranks fourth in FSU history. Edenfield needs seven home runs to pass Maddie O’Brien for second. Jessi Warren holds the school record with 83 career home runs.
• Edenfield’s 47 career home runs is sixth among active D1 players.
• Edenfield posted a slugging percentage of .806 last year which was the fourth-best mark in school history. In her career, Edenfield is slugging .666 which is currently second in FSU history.
• Edenfield also ranks in the top 10 in school history for career RBI and 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.

Widra Leading the Noles in the Circle in Her Final Season

• After pitching just 41.2 innings last season, Widra has been phenomenal in her 20.2 innings she’s pitched for FSU this season.
• In those 20.2 innings, Widra has allowed just three earned runs for a 1.02 ERA.
• Widra has been phenomenal at throwing strikes this season as she has allowed just one walk compared to 12 strikeouts.
• Widra has allowed just four extra base hits this season.

Francik Looking Good in the Garnet and Gold

• A true freshman and one of the best high school pitcher in Florida, Jazzy Francik has been as good as advertised so far this season.
• Francik has made two starts and pitched 20.1 innings and with a 2-1 record and a 2.75 ERA.
• Francik has struck out 17 batters compared to three walks.
• Francik is 2-1 and has recorded a save. She joined Bailey Schinella (2012) as the only freshmen to record a win and a save in their first two college appearances.

Full Speed Ahead: Ross Coming Off Breakout Season

• Fans have known the name Amaya Ross for a while but mainly for her insane speed on the base paths, but in 2024, Ross proved she was more than just speed posting her best season at the plate and in the field.
• Ross started all 62 games in 2024 after making just 18 starts her first two seasons.
• Ross hit .322 with eight home runs and 30 RBI. Ross also hit seven triples which was tied for 10th all time in FSU history.
• Ross was once again deadly on the base paths with an ACC-leading 28 steals on 31 attempts. In her career, Ross is 63-for-69 on stolen base attempts.

Danley Has Big Weekend at JoAnne Graf Classic

• 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. As 2025 begins, Danley looks to take another step in a loaded and experience pitching room
• Danley had a great weekend at the JoAnne Graf Classic ash pitched a team-high 14 innings with a 2-0 record. Danley struck out 19 batters in three appearances including a career-high nine strikeouts in a seven inning relief appearance against SE Louisiana where she allowed just one hit.
• Danley made a team-high 21 starts and pitched a team-high 142.1 innings for the Noles in 2024
• Danley finished the season with an 18-6 record and a 3.20 ERA, but as the season went on, Danley continued to improve.
• In her final 28 appearances of 2024, Danley posted a 2.42 era in 96 innings.
• Danley was named to the All-ACC Second Team in 2024.

Apsel Brings Valued Experience to Noles' Pitching Staff

• Apsel brings a lot of experience in the circle after three seasons at Hofstra.
• Apsel has pitched 414.0 innings in her collegiate career with a 2.52 career ERA and 304 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.
• Apsel is 2-0 this season with a 1.83 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 15.1 innings.

Kerr Ready for Final Season in the Garnet and Gold

• Jahni Kerr has been a consistent staple in the Noles’ lineup the last three seasons and 2025 looks to be no different.
• Kerr is a two-time All-ACC performer as she earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2023 and Third Team honors in 2024.
• Kerr has played in 182 games for the Noles while making 173. Kerr has a career batting average of .310 with 24 home runs and 116 RBI.
• Last season, Kerr hit .308 with 9 home runs and 39 RBI.
• This year, Kerr is hitting .273 with two home runs and six RBI.

Dack Giving the Noles Great Production

• Katie Dack has had a great start to 2025 as she has been giving the Noles quality and consistent at bats to start the 2025 season.
• So far in 2025, Dack is hitting .250 with three home runs and 11 RBI.
• Dack has drawn a team-high 11 walks and recorded two sacrifice flies against UCF.
• Dack hit a first inning grand slam against Louisiana Tech to lead the Noles to a 6-3 victory over Louisiana Tech. Dack hit another home run against the Bulldogs on Saturday.
• Last season, Dack had just three home runs and 10 RBI.
• Dack was named to the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge All-Tournament Team.