FSU sports information:
Florida State softball senior Kalei Harding was named to the Preseason All-America Second Team by Softball America on Monday morning. This is the first time Harding has been named a Preseason All-American in her career.
The senior from Murfreesboro, Tenn., put together a very solid year for the Seminoles in 2023 both at the plate and in her new role at third base. Starting in 68 out of the 69 games in 2023, Harding boasted a .311 batting average while hitting 10 home runs and driving in 48 runs. In 2023, FSU hit a school record 122 doubles, and Harding was big part of that. Harding hit a career high 22 doubles in 2023 which is the second-most ever by a Seminole in a single season. She also ranks sixth all-time with 43 career doubles and needs nine doubles to hold sole possession of second on the al-time list. Harding also locked down the hot corner during the season as she played the majority of her time at third base for the first time in her career. Harding had just nine errors in 2023 and made many phenomenal plays at third using her strong arm.
Harding is a three-time All-ACC honoree as she picked up third team honors in 2021 and 2023 and second team honors in 2022. She was also named to the ACC All-Tournament Team in both 2022 and 2023. Harding had one of her best outings last season when it mattered most against Georgia in the Super Regionals. Harding went 4-for-8 with three RBI in two games against the Bulldogs to help the Seminoles advance to the Women's College World Series.
FSU will host their Fan Day this Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. with the Garnet and Gold Scrimmage at the Seminole Softball Complex. The scrimmage is free of charge. FSU will open the season with the JoAnne Graf Classic on Feb. 8-10 at the FSU Softball Complex where they will face Charlotte, Texas Tech and Florida A&M.
Florida State softball senior Kalei Harding was named to the Preseason All-America Second Team by Softball America on Monday morning. This is the first time Harding has been named a Preseason All-American in her career.
The senior from Murfreesboro, Tenn., put together a very solid year for the Seminoles in 2023 both at the plate and in her new role at third base. Starting in 68 out of the 69 games in 2023, Harding boasted a .311 batting average while hitting 10 home runs and driving in 48 runs. In 2023, FSU hit a school record 122 doubles, and Harding was big part of that. Harding hit a career high 22 doubles in 2023 which is the second-most ever by a Seminole in a single season. She also ranks sixth all-time with 43 career doubles and needs nine doubles to hold sole possession of second on the al-time list. Harding also locked down the hot corner during the season as she played the majority of her time at third base for the first time in her career. Harding had just nine errors in 2023 and made many phenomenal plays at third using her strong arm.
Harding is a three-time All-ACC honoree as she picked up third team honors in 2021 and 2023 and second team honors in 2022. She was also named to the ACC All-Tournament Team in both 2022 and 2023. Harding had one of her best outings last season when it mattered most against Georgia in the Super Regionals. Harding went 4-for-8 with three RBI in two games against the Bulldogs to help the Seminoles advance to the Women's College World Series.
FSU will host their Fan Day this Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. with the Garnet and Gold Scrimmage at the Seminole Softball Complex. The scrimmage is free of charge. FSU will open the season with the JoAnne Graf Classic on Feb. 8-10 at the FSU Softball Complex where they will face Charlotte, Texas Tech and Florida A&M.
| First Team | ||
| Position | Name | School |
| C | Kinzie Hansen | Oklahoma |
| 1B | McKenna Gibson | Tennessee |
| 2B | Taryn Kern | Stanford |
| SS | Skylar Wallace | Florida |
| 3B | Alyssa Brito | Oklahoma |
| OF | Jayda Coleman | Oklahoma |
| OF | Kiki Milloy | Tennessee |
| OF | Addison Barnard | Wichita State |
| UT | Jayda Kearney | Georgia |
| UT | Erin Coffel | Kentucky |
| UT | Tiare Jennings | Oklahoma |
| UT | Maya Brady | UCLA |
| UT/P | Valerie Cagle | Clemson |
| P | Maddie Penta | Auburn |
| P | Jordy Bahl | Nebraska |
| P | Kelly Maxwell | Oklahoma |
| P | NiJaree Canady | Stanford |
| Second Team | ||
| Position | Name | School |
| C | Autumn Owen | North Carolina |
| 1B | Karina Gaskins | Notre Dame |
| 2B | Allie Skaggs | Arizona |
| SS | Taylor Pleasants | LSU |
| 3B | Karli Spaid | Miami |
| OF | Korbe Otis | Florida |
| OF | Kristin Fifield | GCU |
| OF | Alex Honnold | Missouri |
| UT | Aminah Vega | Duke |
| UT | Kalei Harding | Florida State |
| UT | Sara Mosley | Georgia |
| UT | Megan Grant | UCLA |
| UT/P | Lexi Kilfoyl | Oklahoma State |
| P | Kayla Beaver | Alabama |
| P | Dariana Orme | Baylor |
| P | Nicole May | Oklahoma |
| P | Alana Vawter | South Carolina |
