Chemistry leads Florida State softball winning streak; FSU will honor seniors in last home game
It is a safe bet that Florida State softball is peaking at the right time.
With eight games left before the postseason, the Seminoles are in playoff mode.
FSU has won 19 out of the last 20 games, including 11 straight games, following their victories over Alabama State and Boston College. For FSU coach Lonni Alameda, team chemistry has contributed to the Seminoles' success.
They are ranked No.14 in the NCAA Women's Softball RPI.
"I'll say we're doing pretty well right now, which is good," Alameda said.
"I think that what you're trying to build up to is team chemistry and then try to play your best softball toward the end of the season, so I'm feeling good about that part of it."
More: FSU men's tennis upsets No. 2 ranked Virginia to capture program's 1st ACC Championship
FSU stands in first place in the ACC standings, with Duke one game back.
The Seminoles control their destiny in claiming their 15th regular season title if they continue their winning spree with North Carolina (30-16, 10-11) and Syracuse on their remaining schedule in their conference.
"UNC is going to come in here ... and they are pretty scrappy," Alameda said. "New coach, an alumni coach, so she got a lot of passion for it, and they're playing like that. So I think that is something we're going to have to be ready for. "
Before trying to secure more ACC victories, the Seminoles must deal with their instate rival, No. 10 Florida Gators (37-11), for two straight weeks. On Wednesday, the Seminoles defeated the Gators in five innings, 12-2, at Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium. FSU will play the Gators again next Wednesday at JoAnne Graf Field at 7 p.m.
"I think every time you're playing your rival, this is the game, you know, this is the game that people who don't even watch softball, and they come to you because it's Florida-Florida State," Alameda said. "Anytime you get that opportunity, I think that's a lot to be a part of.
"This is a postseason-style game right now, and you know, you get to do one there and then one here the following week. I think that's good for the fan base and really good for our freshmen to get a feel for it."
Florida State to honor six seniors on Sunday vs. North Carolina
Six seniors will be honored at JoAnne Graf Field Sunday against North Carolina. Before the first pitch, Autumn Belviy, Devyn Flaherty, Kalei Harding, Kaley Mudge, Allison Royalty and Emma Wilson will be honored in FSU's final home game.
Harding, Flaherty, and Mudge played in the Women's College World Series in the 2021 and 2023 seasons. All three had been with the FSU program for all five years.
Pitcher Alyson Royalty started her first two years at Arizona State before transferring to FSU in her junior year. Wilson enrolled at FSU in 2020 and has played for all four years after redshirting.
"I think this is probably our most decorated senior class in the sense of playing in the national championship games and opportunities," Alameda said.
"Of course, the 2018 team was the history team, and we won a championship. We made a lot of runs and had many opportunities there."
Jaysi Beachum named ACC Player of the Week, on pace to break RBI record
Freshman slugger Jaysoni Beachum was named ACC Player of the Week, announced Tuesday morning. This was coming after hitting four home runs in the last five games. She also added eight RBI, which put the former Florida High product to .50 this season.
Beachum has been one of the country's top hitters as she has a .447 batting average, which ranks her 12th nationally.
She is also ranked in the top 25 in the county in hits, RBI and slugging percentage. Beachum is only nine shy from breaking FSU’s freshman record for most RBI with 58, which former Seminole Sydney Sherrill holds. This could be Beachum's seventh all-time on FSU’s Top 10 list for most RBI in a season.
At her pace, Beachum has a chance of breaking the freshman record this weekend when the Seminoles play North Carolina.
FSU softball upcoming schedule
Friday, April 26: FSU vs. North Carolina, 6 p.m. (Radio: 96.5 FM; TV: ACCN Extra)
Saturday, April 27: FSU vs. North Carolina, 4 p.m. (TV: ESPNU)
Sunday, April 28: FSU. vs. North Carolina, noon (ACCN Extra)
More: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody considering action in FSU's ongoing lawsuit with the ACC
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State softball looks to extend winning streak this week
