Florida State softball has fallen short of the Women’s College World Series each of the last two years, falling in the Super Regionals both times. There are always questions going into every season, and this one is no different.
However, the 2026 season should be another exciting season with the Noles making another deep run into the postseason. They have several proven players returning in key spots, but will depend on some freshmen to make an impact, much like the freshman seasons with Jaysoni Beachum and Isa Torres in 2024.
Here are four burning questions before the season kicks off on Thursday, February 5, hosting Samford:
- Will Kennedy Harp recapture her form from before the injury?
- Who replaces Michaela Edenfield in the lineup?
- Which freshmen pitcher will join Jazzi Francik and Ashtyn Danley in the circle?
- How will FSU fare in February while depending on so many freshmen?
Kennedy Harp was arguably one of the best hitters in the country before going down with a season-ending injury against Louisville last year. She is “full-go” according to FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. However, she only started playing “live” in December. Her fall took place this spring, so it’ll be interesting to see how long it takes to get back into the swing of things.
It’s going to be weird to watch FSU softball without Michaela Edenfield behind the plate and launching massive home runs. It’s big shoes to fill. It’ll be between veteran Madi Frey, redshirt freshman Bella Ruggerio, freshman Danika Spinogatti, and freshman Anna Hinde. Spinogatti is recovering from an injury, so it’ll likely be Frey, Ruggerio, or Hinde. The latter was one of the top signees in the 2025 class and on the 2026 Softball America Freshman to Watch list.
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Francik and Danley were two of the best pitchers in the ACC last season. Francik was outstanding as a freshman, and FSU will need one of its freshmen to take a similar role in 2026. Marlee Gaskell and Bella Dimitrijevic are two of the most likely candidates. It’ll also be interesting to see if senior Makenna Reid can contribute anything after dealing with an injury the past two years.
FSU will start the season hosting some teams that will give all the young players some good experience. However, they will get thrown in a blender when they play in the Clearwater Invitational in the second week of the young season. They’ll also face some solid competition in the Dugout Classic and Unconquered Invitational in Tallahassee in mid-to-late February. If FSU can get through February with fewer than five or six losses. That will be a good experience for the young players as they get deeper into the season.
Lonni Alameda said this team could show more speed like some of her older FSU teams from a few years ago. However, the trio of Torres, Beachum, and Kennedy (if healthy) could provide some much-needed home run power. I think the pitching will be there for FSU, especially as the young players gain experience. If the offense can put it together? FSU will be in the mix late in the postseason again.