Florida State softball embracing early season challenges, travel
Florida State softball travels to the annual Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational this weekend looking to continue to build early season momentum.
The No. 6/9 Seminoles (4-1) are coming off a productive trip to Mexico for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge. While an opening day 9-6 loss to No. 9/10 Oklahoma State (2-2) wasn’t the glamorous start the team was hoping for, head coach Lonni Alameda said her team was quick to respond after some early nerves.
She said a “mid-season” like conversation took place following opening day, and things started to click for the Seminoles as the team rattled off four straight wins, including run-rule victories over Louisiana Tech and Oklahoma State.
“I think that our growth as a team is pretty strong right now,” Alameda said. “Can we go to the next step? I think that what I learned last weekend is that we have the ability to push them as a coaching staff.”
With a matchup against No. 15/16 Missouri on Thursday opening up play for the Seminoles in Clearwater, Alameda wants her team to continue to build off the final few days in Mexico.
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She added that there are some challenges with the schedule and time slots, but Alameda said that the team talked about the “grueling” travel schedule it would face in the offseason. She feels her team is well-equipped to deal with adversity, and credits team leadership for that.
As the Seminoles prepare for four games in Clearwater, sophomore Kennedy Harp feels the team has the tools to be a special team.
She earned ACC Player of the Week honors for her performances in Mexico, going 10-15 with six extra-base hits, including three triples, and 10 RBIs, and she hopes to keep building off her hot start.
“Just being present in the moment and trusting my process is the biggest thing for me,” Harp said. “Going into Clearwater I feel like we definitely have all the tools we need on this team. If we can key in to staying focused and being intentional with what we are doing on the field, we can definitely do some great things.”
What’s next for FSU softball
The Seminoles head to Clearwater for four games in four days, starting with a Thursday showdown against Missouri. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m., and the game can be watched on ESPN2.
Full Schedule
- Thursday: FSU vs. Missouri 10 a.m. – ESPN2
- Friday: FSU vs. Ohio State 2 p.m. – ACC Network
- Saturday: FSU vs. Wichita State 7 p.m. – ESPN+
- Sunday: FSU vs. UCF 8 p.m. – ESPN
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney
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