Softball Notes: FSU softball vs. Texas (Wed. at 8 p.m.)

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU sports information:

For the fifth time in the last seven days, the No. 18 Florida State softball team (18-8, 1-2) will host a top 15 opponent at JoAnne Graf Field as No. 2 Texas (24-3, 5-1) comes into town on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. on the ACC Network with Mark Neely and Michele Smith on the call. The second-ranked Longhorns are the highest rated opponent to come to Tallahassee since No. 2 Arizona in 2021.

In the Middle of a Gauntlet

• In the past week, Florida State will have played five games at the Seminole Softball Complex all against teams ranked in the top 15.
• This will be just the second time in school history that FSU has played five consecutive games at the Seminole Softball Complex against top 15 opponents and the third time that FSU has played five consecutive games at home against ranked opponents.

Success When It Matters Most

• When the moment is big, the Seminoles have had great success in recent history, especially at home.
• FSU is 18-8 in their last 26 games against ranked opponents.
• FSU is 9-6 against ranked opponents at JoAnne Graf Field since the start of the 2022 season.

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 136-21 at the Seminole Softball Complex.
• In the past two seasons, FSU is 48-8 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 7.50 runs per game which is seventh in the country. FSU is hitting .331 as a team which ranks 18th in the country.
• FSU has scored 195 runs through 26 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.
• In 26 games, FSU has scored 8 or more runs in 15 games. In 69 games last season, FSU scored eight or more runs just 22 times.
• FSU has scored 10 or more runs in six 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 .370.

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 26 games this season after making just 18 starts the past two seasons.
• Ross has already surpassed her 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 tied for second in the country.
• Ross is eighth in the country and second in the ACC with 18 stolen bases this season.
• Ross is the only player in the ACC to steal 15+ bases without being caught. Only one player in the country has stolen more bases without being caught than Ross.
• Ross is third on the team with a .375 batting average.
• Ross leads the ACC and is fifth in the country in runs per game (1.35).
• Ross has stolen 45 bases in 48 attempts over the course of her career.

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 .459 batting average and 39 hits.
• Beachum has hit six home runs and driven in 26 runs which is second on the team.
• Beachum has recorded a hit in 22 out of the Seminoles' 26 games this season.
• Out of the 26 games this season, Beachum has had two or more hits in 14 games.
• Beachum has the fourth-highest batting average among freshmen in the country and the 21st 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 22 starts at the positions. Beachum has committed just two errors this season.

Ocho's Hot Start

• Kalei Harding 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 .344 with a team 27 RBI.
• Against Duke who came in having the best ERA in the country, Harding hit .455 with five RBI. Harding hit three doubles against the Blue Devils.
• 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 (53), tied for sixth in school history for career home runs (36), sixth for career RBI (170) 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 .321 with 20 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.
• Reid has yet to take a loss as Seminole and is a perfect 18-0 in the circle .
• In her last eight appearances, Reid has pitched 30.2 innings while allowing just six earned runs and striking out 26 batters.
• 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.

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 10 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 3-0 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 seven earned runs in 18 innings for a 2.72 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.
• In 2024, Kerr is hitting .379 with 16 RBI in 20 games. Kerr missed five games this season due to injury.
• 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 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.
• 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 had her best weekend of the year against Duke as she hit .400 against the Blue Devils including a 3-for-5 showing in the series finale.
• This season, Mudge is hitting .302 with 10 RBI in 20 games.

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, 13 out of Edenfield's 25 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 25 runs while hitting .373.

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 26 games, FSU has drawn 112 walks which is currently ranked sixth in the country.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

Texas takes a 2-0 lead in the top 1st

Longhorns get an Atwood sac fly and a Washington RBI double

 

[Andrewff]

Seems like we are playing from behind most of the time, especially against top teams. Always giving up runs early. I hate losing, but I know how spoiled we have been as fans in recent years.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

Texas takes a 6-0 lead in the third on a Cimusz RBI double

Part of me wonders if this is the even-year correction that FSU has often had. Coupled with losing Sandercock. And FSU didn't land a transfer pitcher. Mixing in the likes of Kylee Hanson and Caylan Arnold made a difference when it came to matchups against opponents.

Still, curious to watch Danley, Beachum, Torres. Player development.

FSU has leaders on the roster, too. Looking to see the team improve.

 

[Bob Ferrante]

Atwood three-run home run is part of a four-run sixth

Texas up 10-0, run rule will be in effect in bottom of the inning

 

[JonScott]

About to be run-ruled by Texas ... Royalty gives up walks and a three-run bomb. 10-0 bottom of sixth. No timely hits, miscues on defense, average on the mound means a lot of losses this year.

 

[NoleLizards]

10-0 final in 6. Have we ever had a home loss that ugly?? 🤕

 

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU sports information:

The No. 18 Florida State softball team (18-9) fell to No. 2 Texas (25-3) 10-0 in six innings Wednesday night at the Seminole Softball Complex.

Texas jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly and a double. The Longhorns added runs in the second and the third inning, but Ashtyn Danley came in and put up back-to-back zeros in the fourth and fifth innings. Danley had a very solid outing for the Noles as she went three complete innings without allowing a run while striking out three.

Isa Torres had a season-high three hits for the Seminoles.

The Longhorns added four runs in the top of the sixth to put the Seminoles in run-rule territory.

The Seminoles head to Pitt for their first conference road test of the season. The three-game series begins Friday at 6 p.m. at Vartabedian Field on ACCNX.

 

[thomasojam]

going to be a tough year. ACC schedule starts soon...

 

[waternole]

About to be run-ruled by Texas ... Royalty gives up walks and a three-run bomb. 10-0 bottom of sixth. No timely hits, miscues on defense, average on the mound means a lot of losses this year.

We just don't have replacements for Sandercock and Leonard currently. Both as leaders and talent on the field.
Beachum and Torres are going to be really good on the left side of the infield for years. Not sure about the right side especially after Flaherty leaves.
We really need Harding in right with her arm, putting her on first doesn't utilize that part of her game.
Pitching...I believe Danley will be really good, Reid needs to come up with something down in the zone at a different speed.
I think Gooden will be reliable eventually. After that I haveno idea
This will be a rebuilding year for FSU softball standards.
Hopefully we can land a pitcher out of the portal for next year so Danley and Gooden can develop.
I know elite pitching is hard to come by and maybe we got spoiled with the run of at least one shutdown pitcher in the circle for a long time.
But, currently we do not have that luxury hopefully it can be developed or we are in trouble. We have multiple pitchers who I don't see as being able to pitch at this level unfortunately which is not good for a staff approach.