FSU softball has been competing at near an elite level over the better part of the last decade. They won the Women's College World Series in 2018 and were runner-ups in 2021 and 2023.
The Noles lost in the Super Regionals to eventual champion Oklahoma for the second consecutive season in 2024. As good as FSU softball has been in recent years, there has been a clear gap between FSU and Oklahoma. I wrote about closing that gap after the 2024 season here.
This brings us to National Signing Day for the 2025 FSU softball recruiting class.
Starting off Signing Day with a BANG💥
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
Anna was a ranked the No. 1 prospect by Legacy and Legends Softball and the No. 2 prospect by MaxPreps👏
Welcome Anna to Tally🍢#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/Nl1xhD1XjF
PA ➡️ 850
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
A versatile pitcher and infielder that we can’t wait to see in the Garnet and Gold🍢
Welcome Averi to the 8️⃣5️⃣0️⃣#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/AtXucsjVAF
Another star in the making🤩
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
Hayley is ranked the No. 6 overall player by Softball America and the No. 2 infielder in the country🍢
Hayley Griggs is officially a Nole🍢#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/Xn8QvJeNQL
Continuing the great FSU pitching legacy🍢
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
Marlee is ranked a top 5 pitcher and a top 25 player in the class by Extra Inning Softball👏#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/77EIqm4A9G
The Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year is officially a Nole🍢
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
Bella is one of the top pitchers in the class and is ranked the No. 21 overall player by On3👏#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/D2WF3y1kSo
Signed right on the dotted line✍️
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
Excited to welcome one of the top players in Iowa to Tallahassee in Marin Heller🍢#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/8AP7q8PXQ4
How 'bout another one?🫢
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
Harlie is the No. 17 rated player and the No. 5 rated infielder in the country by On3 and was a member of the U18 US Junior National Team👏👏
Welcome Harlie to Tallahassee‼️#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/ffbqr4KSmv
We have a feeling you're gonna like this one :)
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
Makenna comes from Tampa and is an elite athlete on the diamond and on the flag football field🤩#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/8cDXqjGQPq
Staying right at home🏠
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 13, 2024
Danika is ranked the No. 26 overall player in the 2025 class and has also played on the U18 Italian National Team👏#NSD2024 pic.twitter.com/J1RqGZkOeZ
The biggest issue for FSU over the past couple of seasons has been the lack of elite pitching. FSU had an elite pitcher in Kathryn Sandercock in 2023, which is what she developed into over her four-year career. However, the 2024 season exposed the lack of elite pitching and FSU tried to address that area in the transfer portal.
They have Makenna Reid going into her junior season in 2025 and Ashtyn Danley going into her sophomore season. Both have great potential to continue developing into plus pitchers for Lonni Alameda. FSU signing Bella Dimitrijevic is a big deal, as she's one of the top pitchers nationally. Marlee Gaskell and Averi Dockery will help with pitching depth. FSU needed more offensive output to join Michaela Edenfield, Jaysoni Beachum, Isa Torres, and they did that with Anna Hinde, Haley Griggs, and Makenna Sturgis.
I wrote about FSU's 2025 schedule and how it differs from the past few years. FSU will be young, but talented once again, and it'll be interesting to see how Lonni Alameda molds this team in 2025.