Photo By: Molly Kaiser
Florida’s college softball landscape is buzzing with excitement as three powerhouse programs—USF Bulls, Florida State Seminoles, and Florida Gators—make strategic moves to bolster their rosters for the 2024-25 season. With each team adding key transfers and signings, the upcoming season promises intense competition and thrilling matchups. Here’s a closer look at the significant roster changes and what they mean for each program.
USF Bulls: Eriksen Adds Versatile Transfer to Roster
The University of South Florida softball team, led by head coach Ken Eriksen, has announced the addition of transfer pitcher Hannah Marien to their 2024-25 roster. Marien, coming from Stetson, brings significant experience and potential to the Bulls.
“Hannah Marien is someone that we’ve been watching as a pitcher that has a huge ceiling with an arsenal that has already proven that she can beat the top teams in the country,” Eriksen said. “She had a lot of options, and for her to choose USF with the young talent that is returning for their sophomore, junior, and senior years, Hannah is a piece of the puzzle that has the potential for us to make a lot of noise next year.”
Over her two seasons with the Stetson Hatters, Marien made 57 appearances, including 43 starts. She pitched 286.0 innings, striking out 179 batters. In the 2024 season, she led the Hatters with 81 strikeouts, posted a 3.22 ERA, and secured seven wins. Marien also pitched 14 complete games and earned one save.
Marien’s proven ability to compete against top-tier teams and her consistent performance make her a valuable addition to the Bulls. Her arrival, combined with USF’s returning talent, positions the team for a promising and competitive 2024-25 season.
Florida State Seminoles: Signing of Julia Apsel Strengthens Pitching Staff
Florida State softball, under head coach Lonni Alameda, announced a key addition from the transfer portal: left-handed pitcher Julia Apsel. Apsel, a standout at Hofstra, joins the Seminoles with an impressive track record.
In 2024, Apsel emerged as Hofstra’s ace, making 33 appearances, including 31 starts, and pitching a team-high 201.2 innings. She posted a 1.39 ERA and a 19-12 record, with 20 complete games, ranking 15th nationally. Her ERA was 10th in the country, and she struck out 176 batters, placing her 37th nationally.
Apsel excelled against top-tier competition, delivering strong performances against Power Five teams. Against NCAA Tournament qualifiers Penn State, she allowed just two earned runs over 6.1 innings. She also held National Runner-Up Texas to four runs over six innings, making Hofstra one of the few non-Power Five teams to limit Texas to five or fewer runs.
Apsel’s standout game of 2024 came against Missouri, the NCAA Tournament’s No. 7 seed. She pitched nine innings, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out six, showcasing her ability to compete at the highest level.
During the CAA Conference Tournament, Apsel earned All-Tournament Team honors, pitching 26.2 innings across four games and allowing only three earned runs while striking out 24. In her final 12 appearances of the season, she allowed just 11 earned runs over 73.2 innings.
Apsel joins a strong FSU pitching staff, including Second Team All-ACC selection Ashtyn Danley, 2023 Second-Team All-ACC selection Makenna Reid, and rising star Mimi Gooden. The Seminoles also welcome Jasmine “Jazzy” Francik, the 2022 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, who boasts a 0.40 ERA and over 1,500 strikeouts from her high school career.
Apsel’s addition solidifies FSU’s pitching rotation, setting high expectations for the 2025 season.
Florida Gators: Hammock Joins the Program, Adds Power and Depth
The Florida Gators softball team, led by head coach Tim Walton, has made a strategic addition to their roster by bringing in transfer pitcher Kara Hammock for the 2025 season. Walton expressed his excitement about the acquisition, highlighting Hammock’s experience and unique pitching style as crucial for the team’s aspirations to return to the Women’s College World Series and compete for a national championship.
Hammock, a 6-foot-2 right-hander from Mechanicsville, Va., comes with an impressive resume. Over her career, she has maintained a 1.80 ERA across 372.2 innings, holding opponents to a .231 batting average. Her record includes 39 wins, 33 complete games, 10 shutouts, four saves, and 267 strikeouts with only 91 walks.
At UNC Wilmington, Hammock made history as the program’s first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Rookie of the Year. She also earned multiple All-CAA honors, including First Team in 2023 and Second Team in other seasons. Her junior year was particularly notable, as she led her team to the CAA Tournament Championship with three complete-game victories, earning the title of CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Hammock’s addition is expected to significantly bolster the Gators’ pitching staff, providing both depth and reliability. Her proven track record and ability to perform in high-stakes situations will be key as Florida aims to dominate the SEC and make a deep postseason run. The Gators are positioning themselves for a strong 2025 season with Hammock as a pivotal part of their roster.
