Softball Some good bullet points on FSU softball in 2025

[Bob Ferrante]

FSU opens the 2025 season on Thursday in Mexico. We've posted some notes and videos, games on TV and other items on this board in the last few weeks.

I'm curious about how Apsel and Widra perform in the circle. How does Makenna Reid perform and potentially on a pitch count.

And how the Seminoles navigate what feels like a challenging schedule, with a good chunk of it on the road - 31 of 55 games away from Tallahassee.

What are your thoughts?

FSU sports information has compiled a large number of bullet points:

The Florida State softball team begins its season this week at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as the Seminoles will play five games in three days. FSU will start out by playing No. 4 Oklahoma State on Thursday at 11 a.m. before playing Northern Colorado at 2 p.m. FSU will play Louisiana Tech on Friday at 2 p.m. and will conclude their time in Mexico with a doubleheader against Louisiana Tech and Oklahoma State on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.

All games will be streamed live on FloSports with Corey Brooks (Play by Play) and Nicole Mendes (Color) on the call. Fans will need to purchase a subscription to FloSports which can be done here.

Noles Begin Season in Uncharted Territory

• It has been a long time since the Seminoles haven't started in the friendly confines of JoAnne Graf Field.
• This is the first time since 2018 that FSU has started its season away from home as the future National Champions started their campaign in San Marcos, Texas, at the Bobcat Classic.
• FSU will also be playing outside of the United States for the first time in program history.
• Thursday will also be the first time that Florida State has opened its season against a ranked opponent since 2014. FSU played No. 9 Nebraska and fell 4-3 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Noles' History Against the Field

• Florida State will begin the Puerta Vallarta College Challenge against a familiar foe as the Noles and Cowgirls have played some high stakes games in recent memory.
• FSU and Oklahoma State last met in the Women's College World Series in 2023 where FSU dominated in an 8-0 win in the opening round. FSU has won five out of the last seven matchups between the two teams.
• The Noles and Northern Colorado have never met.
• FSU and Louisiana Tech will meet for just the second time since 1997. The two teams last met in 2019 where FSU won 4-0.

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 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 also 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.

Noles Coming Off Historic Offensive Season in 2024

• Florida State put together one of the best offensive seasons that this storied program has ever seen 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.
• 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.

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 every 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.

Edenfield Coming Off Best Season as a Nole

• The power has always been there for redshirt senior catcher Michaela Edenfield, but in 2024, Edenfield found consistency in the batter's box setting her up for a huge 2025 campaign.
• 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 44 career home runs which ranks fourth in FSU history. Edenfield needs three home runs to pass Kalei Harding for third and needs 10 home runs to pass Maddi O'Brien for second. Jessi Warren holds the school record with 83 career home runs.
• Edenfield's 44 career home runs is the sixth-most 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 .648 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.

Don't Forget about Torres

• Sometimes overshadowed by the play of Jaysoni Beachum, Isa Torres also put together one of the best seasons by a freshman in FSU history.
• 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.

Full Speed Ahead: Ross Coming Off Breakout Season

• Fans have known the name Amaya Ross for awhile 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 the past 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 62-for-68 on stolen base attempts.

Danley Ready to Take Next Step in the Circle

• 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 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.

Noles Add Key Pieces to the Circle for 2025

• The Noles added three key pieces to the pitching staff in transfers Julia Apsel and Annabelle Widra as well as freshman Jazzy Francik.
• 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.
• Widra has played three seasons of Power Four softball with one year at Michigan and two years at Auburn.
• Widra pitched 153.2 innings in three seasons while holding a 2.55 ERA. Widra has a very impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio with 144 strikeouts compared to just 27 walks in three seasons.
• Widra's best performance of 2024 came against Alabama where she threw a complete-game shutout against Alabama where she allowed just four hits.
• Francik was one of the top high school pitchers in the state of Florida.
• Francik was a three-time MaxPreps First Team All-American and ended her career with a 0.40 ERA to go along with 1,507 career strikeouts for Melbourne High School.
• In her high school career, Francik threw 21 no hitters including seven in her senior season.

Reid Ready for Bounce Back Season Following Injury

• After bursting onto the scene in 2023 to become one of the top relief pitchers in 2023, Reid is ready to take another step following a 2024 season where she battled injuries.
• In 2023, Reid posted a 0.97 ERA in 79.1 innings as she posted a perfect 13-0 record.
• In her career, Reid holds a 25-1 record after going 12-1 last season.
• Reid had a 3.29 ERA in 2024 with 76 strikeouts.

Kerr Ready for Final Season in the Garnet and Gold

• Jahni Kerr has been 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.

Noles Coming Off One of Best Offensive Seasons in School History

• FSU had one of its top offensive seasons in school history and are looking to continue those offensive numbers in 2025.
• Last season, FSU broke the school record with a .332 batting average in 2025.
• FSU also had the second-most runs scored (456) and the second-most home runs (89).
• FSU also had the fourth-most doubles in school history (96) and the fifth-most hits in school history (549).
• FSU returns 73% of its RBI this season and its top three leaders in batting average.

Freshman Class Looking to Make Instant Impact

• FSU is looking to have another season where they get great production from its freshman class.
• The class of Addie DeLong, Jazzy Francik, Shelby McKenzie and Isabella Ruggiero was ranked the No. 5 class in the country by Softball America.
• Ruggiero leads the group and was ranked the No. 12 player in the country. Ruggiero finished her senior season with a .617 batting average, 16 home runs and 50 RBI. Her 16 home runs led the state of Florida.
• DeLong will be a force for the Noles on the base baths as she is one of FSU's fastest players and will provide the Noles with a deadly short game as well. DeLong was ranked the top player in Ohio and the No. 23 player in the country.
• Francik comes to Tallahassee as one of the top pitchers in the state of Florida. Francik was ranked the No. 28 player in the country as she ended her career with a 0.40 ERA with 1,507 strikeouts and was a three-time MaxPreps First Team All-American.

Road Warriors

• FSU will play a lot of games away from home this season with some long road trips.
• 31 out of FSU's 55 games (56%) will be away from home this season.
• FSU's Feb. 20 home opener is the latest home opener since 1997 when the home opener was on Feb. 22.
• FSU's 31 games away from home is the most the program has had since 2000.
• FSU will play 12 teams that are ranked in the top 25 of the ESPN.com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25 poll.

Kerr and Ruggiero Gain National Team Experience

• Jahni Kerr and Isabella Ruggiero earned some great experience over the summer as Kerr played with the Great Britain National Team while Isabella Ruggiero played for U-18 US Junior National Team.
• Kerr played for Great Britain in the Women's Softball European Championship in September and was one of Great Britain's top hitters in her first national team experience. In 26 at bats, Kerr led the team in hits (11), RBI (8) and home runs (2). Great Britain finished second in the tournament.
• Ruggiero helped Team USA qualify for the U-18 WBSC World Cup as she hit .333 with two doubles, five RBI and four runs. scored.

Several Noles Earn Preseason Honors

• Jaysoni Beachum, Michaela Edenfield and Jahni Kerr were named to Preseason All-ACC Team.
• FSU's three selections was tied for the most in the conference with Duke.
• Beachum, Edenfield and Torres were each named Preseason All-Americans by Softball America and D1Softball.
• Beachum, Edenfield and Torres were all named to the USA Softball National Player of the Year Top 53 Watch List. It was the first time in program history FSU had three players on a USA Softball National Player of the Year Watch List.
• The Noles had four players named to the Softball America Top 100 Preseason List in Beachum (5), Torres, 19, Edenfield (21) and Julia Apsel (89).
• Beachum (12), Edenfield (20) and Torres (29) were also named to the D1Softball Top 100 list.
• The freshman class of Addie DeLong, Jazzy Francik, Shelby McKenzie and Isabella Ruggiero were each named to the Freshman Top 100 Watch List by Softball America and D1Softball.