BROOKE BLANKENSHIP
INFIELD
HUDSON, FLA.
RIVER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Blankenship is ranked 5th by Extra Inning Softball in the 2021 class rankings…two time 2A State Champion with Academy at the Lakes (2018-19)…2A Florida Player of the Year as a freshman…three-time First Team All-State…three-time Greater Tampa Bay Times All-State…USA Today Preseason All-American…off of the field she was a four-time member of the honor roll and a two time Pasco County Science Fair winner.
WHY I CHOSE FLORIDA STATE: “When I was nine I attended the Super Regional and watched Florida State comeback and beat Michigan twice to move on to the Women’s College World Series. When Courtney Senas hit that home run and the stands erupted, I knew I wanted to be part of that environment. It motivated me as an athlete to work hard. When I went to my first camp when I was 13, my love for FSU had only grown. While I had multiple offers, Florida State always felt like it was meant to be my home. I can’t wait to live my dream wearing garnet and gold.”
“Brooke is an elite defender that will be able to play multiple positions in the infield from day one,” said Wilson. “She is a smart player that has grown up a Seminole fan. Brooke will continue to grow here at FSU.”
“Brooke is a glue type player that will be fun to watch grow as she loves to compete and always wants to learn more, she is a true student of the game,” said Alameda.
MORGAN KENDRICK
PITCHER
FLEMING ISLAND, FLA.
CLAY HIGH SCHOOL
Kendrick is ranked 107th by Extra Inning Softball in the 2021 class rankings …was named second team 8A All-State her freshmen season…also named St. John’s River Conference All-Conference and to the All Clay County Coaches Team…named the MVP of Fleming Island High School her freshman year…had a 1.65 ERA with 168 strikeouts in 102 innings pitched, including three no hitters during her freshman campaign…she also hit .361 during her first year of high school…as a sophomore she was named second team 8A All-State and was named to the Times-Union All-First Coast Team…Kendrick was also named to the Miracle Sports All State Softball Team Second Team…She once again was named the MVP of Fleming Island High School and was also named the best offensive player…she had a 1.05 ERA with 182 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched with one perfect game she also batted .393…during her junior season she hit .462 and was named First Team 6A All-State and the 6A District 6 Player of the Year…off the field Kendrick was a part of the National Honor Society during her sophomore through senior years of high school…she was also a part of the A/B Honor Roll all four years of high school.
WHY I CHOSE FLORIDA STATE: “I grew up an FSU fan and have been coming to sporting events here since I was a baby. In fact, my first Seminole home football game was when I was 11 days old. I could spell Florida State before I could spell my own name because of the fight song, so you could say I was literally born to be a Nole.”
“Morgan is a strikeout pitcher that bleeds garnet and gold,” said Wilson. “It’s going to be fun watching her develop under coach Alameda’s guidance.”
“Morgan has the desire and drive to learn every time she is given the opportunity,” said Alameda. “This will allow her skills to develop into a fierce competitor in the circle.”
AMAYA ROSS
INFIELD
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADAMY
Ross is ranked 151st by Extra Inning Softball in the 2021 class rankings…throughout high school, Ross saw nothing but success, reaching the state Final Four every season since 2016, including a runner-up finish in 2018 and a State Championship in 2019 with Trinity Christian Academy…in 2019 She was named to the Times-Union All-Decade Team and was also named to the All-First Coast First Team…Ross was also named to the 2019 Miracle Sports 4A All-State First Team…in 2018 and 2017 she was also named to the Times-Union All-First Coast First Team…was a part of the 2017 Miracle Sports 4A All-State Second Team and was selected as a USA Elite Select Futures All-American…in 2016 and 2017 she was a USA Elite Select 30 All-American…off the field, Ross has been a part of the All A Honor Roll at school every year since 2007 and earned the American Citizenship Award from 2017-20…was named the Student Council Vice President and Student Government Treasurer in 2019.
Ross comes from a long lineage of Florida State Athletes, including her dad, Gerald Ross, who played football for the Seminoles. Her cousins Keith Ross and Lamar Lewis also played football for Florida State. Most recently her cousin J.C. Flowers played baseball for the Noles.
WHY I CHOSE FLORIDA STATE: “I chose FSU because I love the family-based atmosphere and feeling that you never meet a stranger. I also chose FSU because the entire coaching staff and everyone involved values me beyond softball and will prepare me to succeed in the future after softball. Another plus is that both of my parents attended FSU, so that makes me Nole-blooded.”
“Amaya is a sleeper in the 2021 class,” said Wilson. “Amaya is very athletic and is continuing to develop. We are excited at what Amaya can bring to our team.”
“Amaya is a quiet yet confident leader on and off the field with a huge upside as a Seminole,” said Alameda.
KRYSTINA HARTLEY
INFIELD
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.
NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL
Hartley is ranked 18th by Extra Inning Softball in the 2021 class rankings …she is a two time Class 2A State Player of the Year in Florida…finished her freshman campaign with a .409 batting average and improved on that in her sophomore season of high school…batted .469 her sophomore year and was named team MVP for Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, Fla…during her junior season she batted .300 before the season was cut short due to COVID-19…off the field Hartley was named to the dean’s list during each of her first three years of high school.
WHY I CHOSE FLORIDA STATE: “I chose FSU because of the amazing coaching staff and the feeling I got when I was on campus, it felt like I was at home. The softball team is like a family and I know they always have fun on and off the field and that’s something I think is important when it comes to playing the game.”
“She has some serious power in a smaller frame,” said assistant coach Travis Wilson. “Hartley has the chance to take over at third base in what has been a standout position for the Noles for many years.”
“Krystina is a get after it style of player that raises the game when she is on the field,” said Alameda. “She loves to compete and wants to be the one with the game on the line.”
KATIE BRIGHT
CATCHER
PALM HARBOR, FLA.
PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
Bright is ranked 26th by Extra Inning Softball in the 2021 class rankings …6A Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State team…First Team Pinellas County by the Tampa Bay Times…First Team All PCAC Catcher (2019)…PGF Platinum Champions (2018)…off of the field she was a member of the Honor Roll all four years, earning all A’s and B’s.
WHY I CHOSE FLORIDA STATE: “While there are so many reasons to choose FSU, there are some that really stood out to me when making my decision. First off, the coaches are amazing. The environment created by every coach at FSU is unmatchable, and I could not imagine playing anywhere else. The mentality of family and being one team collectively really caught my eye. I have been to countless camps, but none have made me feel at home like FSU has every time I visit the campus. Furthermore, the style of the buildings and history behind the college was very intriguing to me, and I am still learning more every day. I am so anxious to finally be up at FSU with my new family while playing the game I love.”
“Katie is a late bloomer for sure,” said Wilson. “She has gotten better every year and is as solid as they come behind the plate. Katie is a very versatile player that will give us options all around the field.”
“Katie has a very competitive drive that is going to be fun for all Seminole fans to watch flourish in her time here in the garnet and gold,” said Alameda.
