Florida State Seminoles
Overall Rank: #9
Conference Rank: #1 ACC
Florida State Team Page
The Seminoles will be very young this year, as the team includes 14 freshmen or sophomores, including ten true or redshirt freshmen. Fortunately for Florida State, three of the four sophomores saw extensive time last season and will team with the upperclassmen to try to at least duplicate last year's Super Regional appearance. The Seminoles went a crazy 18-2 in conference play last season, dropping one-run games to both North Carolina and Maryland. Seven of last year's 18 conference wins, one per series, was won by the run rule.
2013: 44-19, 18-2
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Lonni Alameda
Field Players:
The Seminoles are loaded at the plate, as they bring back six of last year's top eight hitters, all players who started at least 30 games. The team had four players hit double digits in home runs and each returns. Not only did the team have power, but they also drove the ball into the gaps, hitting 75 doubles and 21 triples, to go along with the 60 home runs. Courtney Senas led the team with 14 home runs, while adding a team-leading five triples and 52 RBIs. Kelly Hensley hit 13 doubles and 13 triples, both second on the team, while driving in a squad-leading 54 teammates. Victoria East didn't hit many home runs (five), but had a team-leading 16 doubles and 66 hits. Maddie O'Brien was third on the team with 47 RBIs and hit ten home runs and ten doubles.
Pitchers:
Last year's Florida State squad had a two-pitcher rotation, using both Lacey Waldrop and Monica Perry. Perry graduated but Waldrop is back for her junior year. Last year Waldrop earned NFCA Third Team All-American honors, becoming the first Seminole to do so since 2009. In two years, she has 43 wins. No other player other than Waldrop and Perry started a game for last year's team. Jessica Nori and Bailey Schinella return, but they combined to pitch in 21 games and pitch 23.1 innings.
Who to Watch:
The freshmen. With such a great number, some of them will have to be looked upon to play a role on this year's team. Ellie Cooper (#55 in the College Sports Madness recruiting rankings), Jessica Burroughs, Lauren Harris and Victoria Daddis are the likely contributors. Burroughs was a stud pitcher who redshirted last year and will most likely be used to help Waldrop. Lauren Harris, who has four records at her high school, including home runs, RBIs, stolen bases and slugging percentage. Cooper and Daddis will probably be vying for the third outfield spot.
Final Projection:
Not many teams bring back six of its top eight hitters, like the Seminoles do. The power and ability to pull the ball of the returnees is ridiculous. If the players can keep up their stats from last year, the team may be more dangerous than it was last season. The ACC will be tougher this year, as witnessed by the number of teams (six) in College Sports Madness' top 44 teams. The Seminoles will find out how good they are early as they face highly-regarded Nebraska twice in three days to start the season. A non-conference game against Auburn, as well as two games against Alabama and Florida apiece highlight the schedule.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Victoria East, 1B, 206
Hits: Victoria East, 1B, 66
Home Runs: Courtney Senas, OF, 14
RBIs: Kelly Hensley, OF, 54
Runs: Courtney Senas, OF, 58
Stolen Bases: Courtney Senas, OF, 16
Wins: Lacey Waldrop, P, 24
Innings Pitched: Lacey Waldrop, P, 219.1
Strikeouts: Lacey Waldrop, P, 259
Saves: Lacey Waldrop, P, 2
Madness 2014 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#55 Ellie Cooper
See All Softball Top 44 Previews
