No. 6 Softball Heads to Clearwater to Face Three Top 10 Opponents in Four Days

TALLAHASSEE - The undefeated and sixth-ranked Florida State softball team (6-0) faces its first of many tough tests this week as it will head to Clearwater, Fla., for the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational. FSU will face No. 1 Texas Tech on Thursday at 1 p.m., RV FAU on Friday at 7 p.m., No. 7 UCLA on Saturday at 7 p.m. and No. 3 Tennessee on Sunday at 8 p.m. Thursday's game can be seen live on ESPN2 and Sunday's game will be on ESPN. Friday and Saturday's games can be seen on ESPN+/

Seminoles Gear Up to Play Some of the Nation's Best in Clearwater

The No. 6 Florida State softball team is headed to Clearwater this week as it is set to face three top 10 teams in four days at the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational. FSU will face No. 1 Texas Tech on Thursday, RV Florida Atlantic on Friday, No. 7 UCLA on Saturday and No. 3 Tennessee on Sunday.
This week is just the second time that FSU has faced three or more top 10 opponents at the Clearwater Invitational. FSU faced three top 10 teams in Clearwater in 2019 when it faced No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 6 Tennessee and No. 8 LSU. FSU went 3-0 against those opponents.
The top-ranked Red Raiders are 6-0 this season and are coming off a National Championship appearance in 2025. Texas Tech has wins over McNeese State, North Texas, ULM, Providence, Bryant and a ranked win over No. 11 Texas A&M. FSU will be looking for its first regular season win over the No. 1 team in the country since February 7, 2020, when the Noles took down No. 1 Alabama.
Florida Atlantic was the top vote getter outside of the top 25 in this week's poll. The Owls are 5-0 after rolling through its home tournament with wins over Indiana, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Stonehill and Delaware. FAU outscored its opponents 36-11 on opening weekend. In 2025, FAU finished 45-12 but fell in the Gainesville Regional.
The No. 7 UCLA Bruins are coming off a WCWS appearance in 2025 and are off to a 5-0 start in 2026. UCLA has wins over UC Santa Barbara, Northern Colorado, Oregon State, Utah and UC Riverside. The Bruins outscored those opponents 68-6 in those five games.
The No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers are 5-0 with a couple of impressive wins over No. 5 Oregon and Liberty. Tennessee also defeated BYU, Rutgers and Boston College at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater. In 2025, Tennessee finished 47-17 and made it all the way to the National Semifinals but fell to eventual National Champion Texas.

A Home Away From Home

FSU has played in the Shriner's Children's Clearwater Invitational every year since the tournament started in 2019 and has been one of the most successful teams in the tournament.
FSU holds a 20-9 record in the tournament, the most of any team in the country.
12 out of FSU's 20 wins have come against ranked opponents.
FSU has gone undefeated in the tournament three times (2019, 2022, 2025) which is also a tournament record.
FSU finished a perfect 4-0 at last year's tournament outscoring its opponents 42-8.

Noles Cruise Through Opening Week

FSU rolled through opening week as it posted a perfect 6-0 record.
FSU outscored its opponents 44-7 and run ruled three teams (Iowa, Marshall and Liberty).
FSU posted three shutouts in a 2-0 win over Samford, a 6-0 win over UConn and an 8-0 win over Liberty.
The Noles hit .361 as a team and were led by Isa Torres and Marin Heller who hit ,524 and .476 respectively.
FSU's 6-0 start is its best start since 2022 when the team started 19-0.

Noles at a Glance

Coming off another NCAA Super Regional appearance, the Noles have plenty of reasons for optimism as they begin the 2026 season.
FSU returns two NFCA All-Americans in Isa Torres (First Team) and Kennedy Harp (Second Team). Torres and Harp have the second-highest combined batting average of returning players in college softball. Torres (.436) and Harp (.412) hit a combined .424 last season. The only duo to have a higher batting average was Jordy Frahm (.462) and Ava Kuszak (.412) at Nebraska
In the circle, the Noles return the top pitching duo in the ACC in Jazzy Francik and Ashtyn Danley. Francik (1.51) and Danley (1.60) had the two-lowest ERAs in the ACC and have the lowest combined ERA of any returning duo in college softball.
FSU is one of two programs in the Power Four to not have a transfer on its roster. Virginia is the only other P4 team to not have a transfer on its roster.
FSU brings in nine true freshmen, and the class was ranked the No. 3 overall class by On3. Bella Ruggiero is also a redshirt freshman who was the No. 13 overall player by On3.
The Noles had an ACC-leading five players on the All-ACC Team as Jaysoni Beachum, Ashtyn Danley, Jazzy Francik, Kennedy Harp and Isa Torres were all named to the team.

Noles' Offense Looking to be One of Nation's Best Once Again

FSU has only been known for its success in the circle, but the offense has been one of the nation's best the past couple of seasons.
In 2025, FSU finished in the top 10 in the country in batting average, hits, RBI, runs per game and triples.
FSU scored the fourth-most runs in school history last season and had the fourth-most hits in school history. The Noles also hit the third-most home runs in school history last season.
The Noles return its top two hitters in Isa Torres and Kennedy Harp and return three players (Torres, Harp, Beachum) who had 45 or more RBI last season.
Through the first weekend of play, FSU hit .361 as a team and is averaging 7.33 runs per game.

Nothing New: Noles Experiencing Great Success in the Circle

Once again, FSU and head coach Lonni Alameda are expecting big things in the circle once again.
The Noles have been dominant through the first week of play. As a team, the Noles hold a 1.32 ERA and have allowed just seven runs in six games.
FSU has shut out three out of its six opponents so far and has struck out 43 batters compared to just 13 walks.
FSU's starting rotation has been phenomenal as FSU's starting pitchers have thrown 24 innings, allowed 1 earned run on nine hits while striking out 26 batters compared to just seven walks.
The Noles bring back the top pitching duo in the ACC and the country in Jazzy Francik and Ashtyn Danley.
Last season, FSU held a 2.20 team ERA which was first in the ACC and sixth in the entire country.
FSU allowed just 92 walks last season which was the fifth least in the country.
Francik and Danley have the lowest combined ERA of any returning duo that pitched at least 90 innings in 2025. Francik held a 1.51 ERA and Danley held a 1.60 ERA which were the two lowest ERAs in the ACC.
FSU also returns 2023 Second Team All-ACC performer Makenna Reid. Reid posted a 1.81 ERA in 27 innings but is fully healthy in 2026 and is looking for a breakout season.
FSU brings in three freshmen pitchers in Bella Dimitrijevic, Marlee Gaskell and Averi Dockery.
Dimitrijevic is a two-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year and was ranked a top 10 pitcher and the No. 21 overall player by On3.
Gaskell comes in after being named the MaxPreps Player of the Year in the state of Virginia and was ranked the No. 4 pitcher in the class by Extra Innings Softball.

The Core: FSU's Junior Class Looking to Add to Success

Lonni Alameda's 2023 recruiting class has hit at a high rate with Jaysoni Beachum, Angelee Bueno, Ashtyn Danley, Mimi Gooden, Kennedy Harp and Isa Torres.
The six players have combined for three NFCA All-America honors, six All-ACC honors and one NFCA Freshman of the Year award.
The six players have combined to make 470 starts for the Garnet and Gold in three seasons.

FSU Freshmen Shine on Opening Weekend

Lonni Alameda expected big things out of the freshmen class this season, and they have delivered so far.
Through six games Marin Heller, Makenna Sturgis, Anna Hinde and Hayley Griggs have combined .340.
In the circle, Marlee Gaskell and Bella Dimitrijevic had great debuts. Between the two of them, they pitched 11 innings and allowed just three earned runs while striking out 16 and allowing just three walks.
Coach Alameda started four freshmen on opening day for the first time in her time at Florida State. FSU and NC State are the only P4 programs to start four true freshmen on opening day.

Torres Continues to be the Top Shortstop in the Country

Isa Torres has become one of the most recognizable names in college softball and has proven to be the top shortstop in all of softball.
Torres was ranked the top shortstop by both D1Softball and Softball America in the preseason.
Torres had a record season in 2025 as she broke the FSU record with a .436 batting average.
Along with her efficiency at the plate, Torres hit nine home runs and drove in 45 runs.
Maybe the most impressive stat in Torres' 2025 season was that she struck out just five times in 218 at bats. Torres has not struck out this season in 21 at bats.
Torres has picked up right where she left off as the junior is hitting .524 with three RBI
Torres tallied 95 hits in 2025 which was the third most in FSU history.
Torres was a Top 10 Finalist for the USA Softball Player of the Year award and was a unanimous Preseason All-American.
Defensively, Torres made countless jaw-dropping plays last season and committed just nine errors in 188 chances.

Kennedy Harp Ready To Go and Looking for Another Big Season

Kennedy Harp came onto the scene in a big way in 2025, but her season was cut short due to a season-ending knee injury on April 27 but is back and ready to go for the 2026 season.
In 49 games, Harp hit .412 with nine home runs and 49 RBI with a .765 slugging percentage.
Harp added 10 triples which was the third-most in FSU history and the most in the country.
Harp broke the school record for most consecutive games with an RBI as Harp recorded a RBI in her first 10 games to start the 2025 season.

Francik Puts Together Record Opening Weekend

Not many can say they had a better opening week in the circle than Jazzy Francik.
The sophomore out of Rockledge, Florida, picked up three wins, has not allowed a run in 17 innings and threw a no-hitter on opening night against Samford.
Francik has allowed just five hits in 17 innings and has recorded 18 strikeouts compared to just 5 walks. Opponents are hitting just .091 against Francik.
Francik's no-hitter against Samford was the second no-hitter on opening day in FSU history. Francik joined Julie Larsen who threw a no-hitter against West Florida on opening day in 1986.
Francik's 17 consecutive scoreless innings is the longest streak to start a season since Meghan King in 2019. King threw 18 scoreless innings to start the season.
Francik was named the ACC Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday.
Francik finished 2025 with a 1.51 ERA which was the lowest ERA in the ACC and the lowest ERA of any freshman in the country.
Francik finished with a 10-3 record and pitched 92.2 innings.
Francik recorded eight saves which was a freshman record at FSU and the second-most in school history.
Francik struck out 87 batters and surrendered just 19 walks and held opponents to just a .191 batting average.
Francik allowed just 14 extra base hits in 2025.
On May 3, 2025, Francik threw the first ever no-hitter against Virginia Tech. It was also the first no-hitter by a FSU true freshman since Lacey Waldrop in 2012.

Danley Ready to Take Another Step in Junior Season

The past two seasons, Ashtyn Danley has taken the reins as a leader in the circle for the Seminoles and has not disappointed.
In three seasons with the Garnet and Gold, Danley holds a 34-8 record and a 2.49 ERA in 252.2 innings.
So far this season, Danley is 2-0 with two appearances in the circle. She has thrown 5.1 innings and allowed just one earned run ith seven strikeouts.
Danley made a huge jump between her freshman and sophomore seasons in the circle as she posted a 1.60 ERA last season after a 3.20 ERA in her freshman season.
Danley's 1.60 ERA last season ranked 11th in the country and was second behind Francik in the ACC.
In her last seven appearances of 2025, Danley allowed just one earned run over the course of 20.1 innings.
Danley also saw more time in the batter's box last season was great for FSU as she hit .386 in 70 at bats with two home runs and 14 RBI.
So far this season, Danley is hitting .389 with two runs driven in.

Beachum Looks to Continue to Be One of Nation's Most Dangerous Bats

Jaysoni Beachum has become one of the nation's most dangerous bats in all of the country and hopes to take another leap in her junior season.
In three seasons, Beachum holds a .366 batting average with 28 home runs and 117 RBI.
So far in 2026, Beachum is hitting .467 with one home run and six RBI. Beachum has also drawn eight free bases, resulting in a .652 on base percentage.
After winning the NFCA Freshman of the Year award in 2024, Beachum's numbers took a dip, but she was still very effective as she hit 11 home runs and 45 RBI.
In her freshman season, Beachum hit .417 which is the fourth-best mark in FSU history.
Also in her freshman campaign, Beachum broke the freshman record with 66 RBI and the second-most home runs by a freshman with 16.

Shelby McKenzie Looks to Keep Momentum into 2026

Sophomore Shelby McKenzie came on strong at the end of her freshman campaign in 2025.
After playing first base last season, McKenzie has started all six games in right field this season.
McKenzie is hitting .250 this season with two of her four hits resulting in home runs. McKenzie leads the team with seven RBI.
At the plate, McKenzie hit .371 in 62 at bats with two home runs and 21 RBI in 2025.
McKenzie recorded a hit in 12 out of her last 15 games to end the 2025 season.
McKenzie was phenomenal in the postseason. In seven postseason games, Mckenzie recorded seven RBI and hit two home runs. McKenzie was also the only Nole to have a hit in both games in the Super Regional against Texas Tech.

Makenna Reid Hoping to Make her Final Season the Best

After coming onto the scene as a freshman, Makenna Reid has battled injuries the past two seasons but is back and healthy and ready for a big season in 2026.
Last season, Reid held a 1.81 ERA in 27 innings with a 3-2 record.
Reid gave up three earned runs against Iowa but has bounced back and has allowed just one hit in her next 1.2 innings and striking out two.
In her final eight appearances of 2025, Reid allowed just two earned runs in 19.1 innings.
In three seasons, Reid holds a 2.21 ERA in 199.1 innings with an astounding 28-3 record and seven saves.

Another Top Rated Freshmen Class Ready to Make an Instant Impact

Lonni Alameda has been one of the top high school recruiters in the country for several years now and this year's freshman class looks to be no different.
Alameda brings in nine true freshmen that was ranked the No. 3 overall class by On3.
The nine true freshmen are the most under a Coach Alameda team at FSU and the most at FSU since 1988.
In four out of the last five seasons, FSU has had at least had one true freshman make an All-ACC Team
The Noles bring in Hayley Griggs, Marlee Gaskell, Makenna Sturgis, Averi Dockery, Marin Heller, Harlie Chism, Bella Dimitrijevic, Danika Spinogatti and Anna Hinde.
The Noles are expecting to get immediate production from Griggs, Heller, Bella Dimitrijevic, Hinde and Sturgis.
Hayley Griggs was ranked the No. 6 overall player by On3 in the 2024 class. Griggs was also named the 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio. Griggs is expected to battle for a spot in FSU's infield.
Marlee Gaskell was ranked the No. 4 overall pitcher by Extra Innings Softball and the No. 21 overall player by Line Drive Softball.
Marin Heller is expected to make a push to be a starter in the Seminoles' infield after a very strong summer and fall. Heller hails from West Des Moines, Iowa.
Bella Dimitrijevic was a two-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year and was ranked the No. 8 pitcher and No. 21 overall player in the class by On3. In her senior season, Dimitrijevic pitched 147.2 innings and held a 0.43 ERA.
The Noles are also expecting big things from Anna Hinde who was ranked the No. 2 overall player in the class by MaxPreps, Extra Inning Softball and Line Drive Media. Hinde was the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and in her senior season, Hinde hit .679 with seven home runs and 28 RBI while drawing 31 walks.

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No. 6 Softball Heads to Clearwater to Face Three Top 10 Opponents in Four Days

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jaysoni Beachum

Angelee Bueno

Harlie Chism

Ashtyn Danley

Bella Dimitrijevic

Averi Dockery

Jazzy Francik

Marlee Gaskell

Mimi Gooden

Hayley Griggs

Kennedy Harp

Marin Heller

Anna Hinde

Shelby McKenzie

Makenna Reid

Bella Ruggiero

Danika Spinogatti

Makenna Sturgis

Isa Torres

Florida State University Athletics

No. 6 Softball Heads to Clearwater to Face Three Top 10 Opponents in Four Days

Related News

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jaysoni Beachum

Angelee Bueno

Harlie Chism

Ashtyn Danley

Bella Dimitrijevic

Averi Dockery

Jazzy Francik

Marlee Gaskell

Mimi Gooden

Hayley Griggs

Kennedy Harp

Marin Heller

Anna Hinde

Shelby McKenzie

Makenna Reid

Bella Ruggiero

Danika Spinogatti

Makenna Sturgis

Isa Torres

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