The FSU softball team saw its 2026 season come to an end against the UCF Knights in the Tallahassee Regional. It is the first time they have not advanced to the Super Regional round since 2022.
The Seminoles finished the year 52-10, winning the ACC regular-season and tournament championships. While it was a disappointing end to the season, they will have a chance to return nearly all of their production from the 2026 season.
They had just two seniors on the roster in catcher Madi Frey and pitcher Makenna Reid. Pitcher Mimi Gooden did not play in a game this year and is no longer listed on the roster. While more departures could happen when the transfer portal opens following the season, the Seminoles have prioritized roster retention under head coach Lonni Alameda, and it would be shocking to see them lose key players to the portal.
The Seminoles have 18 players currently on the roster who have eligibility moving forward and can return to Tallahassee next season. Here is a look at the players FSU could return at each position.
Pitcher
The Seminoles had a top three of Francik, Danley, and Dimitrijevic in the circle, with Gaskell serving as their fifth pitcher. All four of them have eligibility moving forward and will give FSU plenty of returning production.
Francik finished with a 24-3 record and was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year after posting a 1.86 ERA in 154 innings pitched, throwing three no-hitters. The rising junior held opponents to a .183 batting average, walking 65 batters and striking out 119.
Danley was a two-way star for the Seminoles, making 15 starts as a pitcher and going 13-1 with a 2.09 ERA in 100.1 innings pitched. Opponents hit .207 off her, with her striking out 88 batters and walking 46. She led FSU with five saves.
Dimitrijevic emerged as FSU’s No. 3 pitcher as a true freshman, making 16 starts and 32 total appearances. She recorded a 4.24 ERA over 77.2 innings, going 8-4. Opponents hit .251 off her, including 15 home runs. Dimitrijevic struck out 71 batters and walked 35.
Reid, one of two seniors on the roster, is out of eligibility. Gooden redshirted and is no longer listed on FSU’s online roster. Dockery redshirted as a true freshman.
Catcher
Hinde emerged as FSU’s top catcher and looks like a future star for the Seminoles. She played in all 61 games for FSU, hitting .344 with nine home runs, six doubles, and 43 RBI. She drew 22 walks and struck out 10 times. She did not make an error.
Spinogatti redshirted as a true freshman for the Seminoles after suffering an injury before the season. Ruggiero played in the outfield more than at catcher, but adds some experienced depth behind Hinde. She hit .291 with nine doubles and 27 RBI.
First Base
Griggs and Bueno split time at first, with Griggs emerging as the primary starter as a true freshman. Bueno served as a defensive replacement and a pinch runner.
Griggs, who started as shortstop when Isa Torres was hurt, hit .275 with seven home runs, 11 doubles, three triples, and 31 RBI. She made five errors in the field and stole six bases.
Bueno hit .296 in 54 at-bats with three doubles and nine RBI. She drew nine walks and struck out six times. She made six errors in the field.
Second Base
Heller started 48 games at second for FSU, missing the final portion of the season after suffering an injury. Sturgis started in her place and filled in well after starting the season in the outfield.
Sturgis hit .352 with three home runs, 15 doubles, and 32 RBI. She walked and struck out five times, stealing four bases.
Heller hit .353 with two home runs, 15 doubles, four triples, and 25 RBI. She stole 13 bases and made four errors in the field. She walked 23 times, finishing with a .451 on-base percentage.
Shortstop
Torres emerged as arguably the best player in the country as a junior, being named the ACC Player and Defender of the Year as a junior. She finished the year hitting .530 with 16 home runs, 21 doubles, seven triples, and 56 RBI. She broke the school record for batting average, slugging percentage (.978), and on-base percentage (.591), and finished second in hits with 98. She made just two errors in the field.
Griggs started the eight games that Torres missed.
Third Base
Beachum started all 62 games at third for FSU, with Griggs filling in during games where she was pulled to rest. She had another excellent season for the Seminoles, hitting .406 with 10 home runs, 13 doubles, one triple, and 69 RBI. She walked 54 times and struck out six times, finishing with a .549 on-base percentage and a .671 slugging percentage. She made eight errors, once again making great plays defensively.
Right Field
Ruggiero and McKenzie were FSU’s top two right fielders, with Danley mostly playing left but spending some time in right.
McKenzie hit .274 with seven home runs, three doubles, and 27 RBI. She drew 27 walks and struck out 20 times. Ruggiero hit .291 with nine doubles and 27 RBI.
Center Field
Harp, who was returning from knee surgery, was FSU’s primary center fielder with Sturgis making starts when needed. Both played well in the field and are primed to take a step forward as Sturgis gained experience, and Harp will be further removed from surgery that ended her 2025 season early.
She hit .352 with three home runs, 15 doubles, and 32 RBI. Harp hit .289 with six home runs, nine doubles, one triple, and 31 RBI. She slugged .493 and stole three bases.
Left Field
While left field saw plenty of different players, Danley was the primary left fielder when she wasn’t in the circle. The Seminoles moved their corner outfielders around at times and have plenty of depth behind Danley.
Danley had the best year of her career at the plate and was not affected by her increased workload as a pitcher. She hit .353 with 12 home runs, 16 doubles, three triples, and 57 RBI. She did not make an error in the field and stole seven bases.
Sturgis nearly split her time between center and left before ending the season as FSU’s starting second baseman. She hit .352 with three home runs, 15 doubles, and 32 RBI. She walked and struck out five times, stealing four bases.
Ruggiero mostly played right field, but did see some action at left. Griggs spent most of the season on the infield, but is capable of playing the outfield if needed.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Breaking down who could return for FSU softball in 2027
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
