The Florida State Seminoles return the bulk of a team coming off a 54-7 season. Sure, they were upset in the regional by Mississippi State, but they have to be considered a serious threat in 2023. It will take their and anyone’s best to knock off the defending champs, but the Seminoles have both experience and depth on their side. They added six, with four freshmen and two transfers.
At the plate, they return four of five that hit .300 plus, in Graduate Student Mack Leonard (.377), senior Kaley Mudge (.358), senior Devyn Flaherty (.355), and junior Kalei Harding (.304). Last season they belted 70 home runs, and the two leaders are both back in sophomore Michaela Edenfield (16) and Harding (15). Add to the mix sophomore transfer (Texas A&M) Katie Dack, and you will face a formidable line-up. As a freshman, Dack posted a .303 BA with 13 home runs and 40 RBI last season. This team has power and speed; they can score in bunches if they get the bats rolling.
In the circle, they return staff ace Kathryn Sandercock (30-3). Sandercock has a great season in 2022, posting a 1.44 ERA with 159 strikeouts over 194.1 innings. Junior Allison Royalty comes in from Arizona State, where in 2022, she went 11-6 with a 3.20 ERA and 121 strikeouts. Mack Leanord (3-0) and senior Emma Wilson (2-0) are still there. Two arms come in as well in freshman Madi Balk and Makenna Reid. Both come in with many honors at the high school and travel levels.
This team is loaded for 2023 and should have both the pitching and offense to compete with anyone. We expect them to make a deep run this upcoming season.
