Ashtyn Danley didn’t just want the ball in the circle. She wanted everything else, too.
Already a rising star for Florida State softball, Danley approached head coach Lonni Alameda in the offseason with a simple request: let her do more. Specifically, she asked to join the Seminoles’ batting lineup — a move that has since transformed her into one of the ACC’s most dynamic two-way players.
Alameda said yes, and Danley delivered.
The junior has emerged as a centerpiece for Florida State, hitting third in the lineup while continuing to anchor the pitching staff. The All-ACC performer is batting .357 with 65 hits, eight home runs, 50 RBIs and 45 runs scored. In the circle, she has been just as effective, posting a 12-1 record with a 2.06 ERA, 82 strikeouts and four saves.
When she’s not pitching, Danley shifts seamlessly to the outfield, underscoring her value as an all-around contributor.
What began as a part-time experiment has turned into a full-time role as one of the Seminoles’ most indispensable players.
“Yeah, I love it. I mean, I’ve pitched here for two years primarily, and it just feels so good to be on the defensive side,” Danley said heading into the 2026 season.
“Being able to execute offensively as well and then also help my other pitchers in the outfield, it’s just kind of being able to give back to my team in many different ways, which is also what I’ve always done. So this year my plan is to do that and just to get after it for my girls.”
Danley’s versatility was on full display Friday in the ACC tournament semifinals, when she recorded three hits — including two RBI doubles — and drove in three runs. The three-hit performance marked a career high and added another defining moment to her standout junior season.
Run production, however, is nothing new for Danley. In April against North Carolina, she drove in five runs in a series that resulted in a sweep. The night before, she homered and earned a save to clinch the series — a snapshot of her ability to influence games in multiple ways.
Now, Danley appears to be hitting her stride at the most important time.
Florida State enters the ACC championship game one win away from its 20th conference title and in position to host both a regional and super regional in the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles, who hold the nation’s No. 12 RPI, will face either Duke or Virginia Tech, with Selection Sunday set for 7 p.m.
For Florida State to return to Oklahoma City and the Women’s College World Series, it will likely depend on Danley continuing her impact — both at the plate and in the circle — as the Seminoles chase another postseason run.
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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Ashtyn Danley thrives as two-way star in FSU softball surge
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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