Florida State Seminoles
Overall Rank: #4
Conference Rank: #1 ACC
Florida State made it to Oklahoma City last season after cruising through the Tallahassee Regional and shutting down Utah in the Super Regionals. The Seminoles made some noise in OKC, losing to Auburn in the semifinals. But this is the year that FSU has even bigger dreams. The Seminoles return their two main pitchers and their top eight hitters from last year’s team. This is now a very experienced squad. In the circle, Jessica Burroughs is back after going 29-5 with a 1.86 ERA. She struck out 235 batters in 203.0 innings. Meghan King had a superb freshman campaign, pitching 200.2 innings with a 2.30 ERA. Burroughs will be the ace of the staff, but Coach Lonni Alameda will have no problem relying on King when needed.
2016: 55-10, 21-2
2016 Postseason: WCWS
Coach: Lonni Alameda
Key Departed Players:
Alex Kossoff, .268 BA, 0 HR, 9 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Jessica Burroughs, P, 1.86 ERA, 203.0 IP, 235 SO
Meghan King, P, 2.30 ERA, 200.2 IP, 127 SO
Alex Powers, 1B, .396 BA, 16 HR, 63 RBI
Jessica Warren, IF, .380 BA, 20 HR, 78 RBI
Ellie Cooper, IF, .353 BA, 5 HR, 47 RBI
Morgan Klaevemann, OF, .351 BA, 0 HR, 20 RBI, 53 SB
Sydney Broderick, C, .343 BA, 4 HR, 47 RBI
Carsyn Gordon, IF, .329 BA, 4 HR, 37 RBI
Zoe Casas, OF, .276 BA, 5 HR, 43 RBI
Cali Harrod, UTL, .253 BA, 5 HR, 26 RBI
Projection:
Alex Powers and Jessica Warren lead what should be a dynamic and potent offense. Powers hit .396 as a junior with 16 homeruns and 63 RBIs. Warren belted 20 homeruns with a team high 78 RBIs. The Seminoles ranked tenth in the nation in scoring last season, averaging just over seven runs per game. With basically the entire starting lineup back, this could be the most productive offense in the country. There is more power from players like Ellie Cooper, Sydney Broderick, Carsyn Gordon and Zoe Casas and Morgan Klaevemann is one of the best base stealers around. There is not a weak spot in the lineup and the rest of the ACC will have a lot of trouble containing this offense. The ACC will also have problems scoring against Burroughs and King and Florida State will have one eye on their return to the Women’s College World Series.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Madness 2017 Draft Rankings:
#1 Jessica Burroughs
#16 Alex Powers
