Florida State softball begins its 41st season a week from Thursday.

The No. 3 Seminoles won 58 games last season - the most since the 2018 season when FSU won the national championship - and finished as the NCAA National Runner-Ups.

Lonni Alameda, 53, is entering her 16th season as the FSU head coach, posting a career 716-198-3 (.782) record.

FSU will be tasked with replacing pitching star Kathryn Sandercock in the circle, Josie Muffley at short and Mack Leonard in the circle and at first base.

This year's team will be a bit younger and the early weeks of the season will be important for establishing the team's identity, with some freshmen pushing for playing time.

Here's a look at some key dates and games for FSU softball in 2024.

Key dates for FSU softball

Garnet & Gold Scrimmage/Fan Day

Date: Saturday, Feb. 3

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: JoAnne Graf Field

FSU fans will have their first chance to see the Seminoles in action. The Seminoles will also scrimmage Friday, setting the stage for the season-opening JoAnne Graf Classic the next week.

As much as the day will be for players to get acquainted with playing in front of fans, it will also be a day for the softball team to give back to the fans. FSU fans will be taught some of the chants the players will do, allowing them a chance to continue being a major presence at games.

JoAnne Graf Classic

Dates: Thursday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 11

FSU opponents: Charlotte, Texas A&M and FAMU

Location: JoAnne Graf Field

The Seminoles open their regular season in the tournament honoring their longtime coach. The Seminoles play games at 6 p.m. against Charlotte on Friday and Saturday. They play Texas Tech and FAMU on Saturday before concluding the weekend against FAMU on Sunday.

While the majority of the games will be played at the Graf, FAMU will host Texas Tech for a doubleheader on Friday at 1 p.m. at Rattler Field.

Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational

Dates: Thursday, Feb. 15 to Sunday, Feb. 18

FSU opponents: Stanford, UCLA, Georgia and Tennessee

Location: Eddie C. Moore Complex, Clearwater

The Seminoles challenge themselves again at the ever-growing tournament in Clearwater. FSU will play No. 2 Tennessee, No. 3 Stanford, No. 6 Georgia and No. 8 UCLA over four days. A sign of the growth of the tournament is every FSU game will be broadcast on an ESPN affiliate channel.

With FSU still figuring out its pitching early in the season, this game will go a long way for Alameda to figure out who she can depend on early in the season for her pitching rotation. The experience in these games will also help the team prepare for another postseason run.

Dugout Club Classic

Dates: Thursday, Feb. 22 to Sunday, Feb. 25

FSU opponents: FIU, Charleston Southern and Nicholls

Location: JoAnne Graf Field

The Seminoles play on the road a ton in the early month of the season. This will be FSU fans' second time to see the team at home for another tournament. While FSU should be favored in all of these games, its another opportunity for the team to figure out its identity in a tournament environment.

Jane Sanders Classic

Dates: Friday, March 1 to Saturday, March 2

FSU opponents: Mount St. Mary's, Maryland, Washington and Oregon

Location: Jane Sanders Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

Just two summers ago, sophomore Makenna Reid pitched at Jane Sanders Stadium in the Class 6A State Championship. She set a state record of 21 strikeouts in a 1-0 10-inning win for Tigard over Oregon City.

Now she'll have a chance to return and pitch in front of her friends and family, just over 100 miles away from where she grew up.

For FSU, this will be an opportunity to play a couple more teams in No. 10 Washington and No. 13 Oregon which could be College World Series contenders.

Crimson Tide come to Tallahassee

Date: Wednesday, March 13

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: JoAnne Graf Field

Opponent: Alabama

Following the FGCU Spring Break Tournament and a pair of games against South Dakota State, the Seminoles play a familiar foe in Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy and the No. 14 Crimson Tide. This will be another test for FSU to prove against a top opponent.

2014 Seminoles' team honored in ACC opener

Dates: Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 17

Location: JoAnne Graf Field

Opponent: Duke

FSU's ACC opener will be an eventual weekend. The Seminoles host No. 9, Duke, looking to keep their grip on the conference and start ACC play on the right foot at home.

The Seminoles will also honor the 2014 softball team this weekend, per Alameda.

Longhorns come to town

Date: Wednesday, March 20

Time: 8 p.m.

Location: JoAnne Graf Field

Opponent: Texas

Another top 5 opponent in the No. 5 Longhorns comes to town following a weekend series with Central Florida in Orlando. This series comes more in the middle of the season, meaning FSU could be looking to prove their identity could carry them in the postseason.

FSU-UF rivalry continued

Date: 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 24 at Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium, Gainesville

7 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, at JoAnne Graf Field

Opponent: Florida

The Gators and Seminoles continue their traditional home-and-home series with games late in the season. The May 1 contest will be the final regular home game of the season. The Gators are ranked No. 18 in the preseason and always present a challenge for FSU. With an easier ACC schedule this season, this could be a good test for FSU ahead of the ACC Tournament.

Senior weekend

Dates: Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 28

Location: JoAnne Graf Field

Opponent: North Carolina

FSU will honor its seniors in their final home weekend. The Seminoles could still be playing for the ACC regular season championship, just as they did last season with a Friday win over Louisville to clinch the conference.

While the Seminoles are an early-season favorite to host regionals at home, winning the ACC and doing well in the tournament the following week could help clinch that.

Postseason dates

ACC Tournament

Dates: Wednesday, May 8 to Saturday, May 11

Location: Duke Softball Stadium, Durham, N.C.

NCAA Regionals

Dates: Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19

Location: Campus sites

NCAA Super Regionals

Dates: Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26

Location: Campus sites

Women's College World Series

Dates: Thursday, May 30 to Friday, June 7

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Full FSU softball 2024 schedule

• Feb. 3: Garnet & Gold Scrimmage/Fan Day (2 p.m.)

• Feb. 8: vs. Charlotte (6 pm.) JoAnne Graf Classic

• Feb. 9: vs. Charlotte (6 p.m.) JoAnne Graf Classic

• Feb. 10: vs. Texas Tech (12:30 p.m.) JoAnne Graf Classic

• Feb. 10: vs. Florida A&M (3 p.m.) JoAnne Graf Classic

• Feb. 11: vs. Florida A&M (12:30 p.m.) JoAnne Graf Classic

• Feb 15: vs. Stanford (4 p.m.) at 2023 Clearwater Invitational

• Feb 16: vs. UCLA (1 p.m.) at 2023 Clearwater Invitational

• Feb 17: vs. Georgia (10 a.m.) at 2023 Clearwater Invitational

• Feb 18: vs. Tennessee (8 p.m.) at 2023 Clearwater Invitational

• Feb. 22: vs. FIU (6 p.m.) Dugout Club Classic

• Feb. 23: vs. FIU (3 p.m.) Dugout Club Classic

• Feb. 23: vs. Nicholls (5:30 p.m.) Dugout Club Classic

• Feb 24: vs. Nicholls (3 p.m.) Dugout Club Classic

• Feb 24: vs. Charleston Southern (5:30 p.m.) Dugout Club Classic

• March 1: vs. Mount St. Mary's (3:30 p.m.) University of Oregon Tournament, Eugene, Ore.

• March 1: vs. Maryland (6:30 p.m.) University of Oregon Tournament, Eugene, Ore.

• March 2: vs. Washington (1 p.m.) University of Oregon Tournament, Eugene, Ore.

• March 2: vs. Oregon (6 p.m.) University of Oregon Tournament, Eugene, Ore.

• March 8: vs. vs. Purdue (12:15 p.m.) FGCU Spring Break Classic, Fort Meyers

• March 8: vs. vs. FGCU (5 p.m.) FGCU Spring Break Classic, Fort Meyers

• March 9: vs. Purdue (10 a.m.) FGCU Spring Break Classic, Fort Meyers

• March 9: vs. Western Michigan (12:30 p.m.) FGCU Spring Break Classic, Fort Meyers

• March 12: vs. South Dakota State (1 p.m.)

• March 12: vs. South Dakota State (3:30 p.m.)

• March 13: vs. Alabama (6 p.m.)

• March 15: vs. Duke* (6 p.m.)

• March 16: vs. Duke* (1 p.m.)

• March 17: vs. Duke* (Noon)

• March 20: vs. Texas (6 p.m.)

• March 22: at Pittsburgh* (6 p.m.)

• March 23: at Pittsburgh* (3 p.m.)

• March 24: at Pittsburgh* (1 p.m.)

• March 28: vs. NC State* (6 p.m.)

• March 29: vs. NC State* (1 p.m.)

• March 30: vs. NC State* (Noon)

• April 2: vs. McNeese (6 p.m.)

• April 3: vs. McNeese (6 p.m.)

• April 5: at Louisville* (6 p.m.)

• April 6: at Louisville* (1 p.m.)

• April 7: at Louisville* (noon)

• April 12: vs. Notre Dame* (6 p.m.)

• April 13: vs. Notre Dame* (1 p.m.)

• April 14: vs. Notre Dame* (Noon)

• April 17: vs. Alabama State (6 p.m.)

• April 19: at Boston College* (3 p.m.)

• April 20: at Boston College* (4 p.m.)

• April 21: at Boston College* (1 p.m.)

• April 24: at Florida (6 p.m.)

• April 26: at UNC* (6 p.m.)

• April 27: at UNC* (1 p.m.)

• April 28: at UNC* (Noon)

• May 1: vs. Florida (6 p.m.)

• May 3: at Syracuse* (3 p.m.)

• May 4: at Syracuse* (1 p.m.)

• May 5: at Syracuse* (Noon)

• May 8-11: ACC Tournament

* ACC Game

Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports), Instagram (tlhnolesports) and YouTube channel (NoleSportsTD).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State softball: Key dates, games for Seminoles in 2024