You don’t have to look far to find elite softball pitching right now. In fact, you just have to look across Florida.
Two of the state’s top programs—University of South Florida and Florida State University—are riding high on dominant performances in the circle, and the national attention is following suit. Whether it’s a senior veteran like Belle Sardja locking down late innings for the Bulls, or a precocious freshman like Jazzy Francik rewriting the script in Tallahassee, Sunshine State softball is flexing serious muscle.
And this week, that talent was officially recognized. Sardja was named AAC Pitcher of the Week, while Francik claimed ACC Pitcher of the Week honors. Not to be outdone, USF’s Alanah Rivera landed a well-deserved spot on the AAC Honor Roll after a strong week at the plate and in the field.
If you’re tracking the American Athletic Conference race—or just enjoy dominant pitching—you’ve probably heard Belle Sardja’s name more than once this season. And if you haven’t, well, it’s time to get familiar.
The USF senior isn’t just closing games—she’s closing the door, the window, and locking the whole building behind her. This past week, Sardja was simply untouchable. She logged 11 innings, gave up just one earned run, struck out nine, and only allowed seven hits. More impressively? Just one walk.
Opponents hit a paltry .179 off her, and her command was surgical. Two saves and a win later, she’s now tied for second all-time in single-season saves at USF and sits fourth on the program’s career saves leaderboard with 13. That’s not just stat-padding—that’s legacy-building.
And this wasn’t her first weekly honor either. It was her second AAC Pitcher of the Week award, confirming what anyone who’s watched her throw already knew: she’s one of the most valuable arms in the conference, period.
While Sardja was dealing in the circle, Alanah Rivera was making just as much noise with the bat—and a glove that didn’t miss a beat.
The graduate infielder went 5-for-10 over three games, including a clutch home run in the series finale, her sixth of the year. Not only did she score three runs and not strike out once, but she also put together a perfect fielding percentage with seven assists and two putouts.
You want reliable? Rivera’s your player. You want timely production with postseason stakes looming? Rivera again.
This was her second time making the AAC Honor Roll, and if she keeps swinging like this, it won’t be the last. There’s something to be said for a veteran who understands when to step up—and Rivera has the timing of a Swiss watch.
And now, let’s head north to Tallahassee, where Florida State freshman Jazzy Francik isn’t just turning heads—she’s straight-up forcing people to sit down and pay attention.
Francik was sensational during the Seminoles’ West Coast swing, and she didn’t waste any time setting the tone. On Wednesday against Saint Mary’s, she threw a complete-game shutout—FSU’s first of the year—allowing just three hits and striking out a career-high 12 batters.
Twelve. That’s the most by a Seminole in nearly six years, dating back to Meghan King’s 13-punchout day against Boston College in 2019. To do it as a true freshman? That’s rare air. Only two true freshmen have earned ACC Pitcher of the Week honors for FSU in the last 14 years: Makenna Reid (2023) and the legendary Lacey Waldrop (2012). Francik now joins that exclusive club.
But she wasn’t done. Against Cal on Saturday, she came out of the pen and earned her sixth save of the season with three efficient innings, surrendering just two hits and a single earned run. Her six saves tie Reid for second-most in FSU history.
If you’re a fan of sabermetrics or just box score watching, consider this: Francik now owns a 1.85 ERA, lowest on the staff among pitchers with 50+ innings. Over her last 18.1 innings, she’s allowed just two earned runs. Ice in her veins, spin on her pitches, and poise beyond her years.
