Ashtyn Danley could focus on just hitting. Or just pitching. It’s plausible she could be just a little better at one if it were the Florida State junior’s daily focus.
Going into the fall softball season in 2025, Danley was determined to maximize each day, managing her energy level and understanding what her body could achieve.
“We talk about a lot as a team, just how intentional can you be with each rep?” Danley said. “Because when you have intent, it doesn't matter about how many reps you are taking, it's how good the reps are that you're taking.”
Danley’s reps have built over time. She pitched and hit in all three seasons, but Danley has delivered at an impressive rate this spring for a two-way college softball player as FSU (49-8) prepares for the Tallahassee Regional opener against Stetson (36-20) on Friday at noon (ESPNU).
There may have been practice days that were lighter, coach Lonni Alameda said. But Danley is in the lineup every day, starting in all of FSU’s 57 games: 14 in the circle and 43 in the field. She often departs her spot in the outfield mid-game to pitch, too.
A second-team All-ACC pick, Danley performed quite well in her dual roles. Danley is hitting .351 with eight home runs, 16 doubles, 50 RBI and 45 runs scored. She’s also gone 12-1 with a 2.04 ERA, recording 82 strikeouts against 39 walks in 89.1 innings. In the outfield or in the circle, Danley hasn’t made an error.
FSU boasts the ACC player of the year and defensive player of the year (Isa Torres) and the ACC pitcher of the year (Jazzy Francik). But if there were an honor for the best pitcher and hitter, Danley would be the choice.
“She came in the fall wanting that opportunity,” Alameda said. “So I think she's done a really good job with (strength coach) Bailey Victoria and (player performance director) Ellie Cooper, and just our training staff, our player performance staff, and just managing how I'm going to have my nutrition and my strength and my durability to be able to do that. You’ve got to be a very durable athlete, mentally and physically to be able to do that.”
Alameda has had a few stars taking on dual roles in recent years, including Mack Leonard and Annabelle Widra. But neither took on as many innings in the circle as Danley. Alameda said Danley does a good job of knowing her body and when to take a breather, although it’s notable that’s a practice discussion and that she hasn’t taken a game off.
“I think sometimes you can get mental fatigue, and she's really good, 'I'm feeling tired today. I need to take a little rest today,' “ Alameda said. “When athletes get to that point, then you have a lot of trust in them, and they're not just trying to gut it out. They're actually trying to be smarter about the process. And Ashtyn’s learned that through time. And we all trust that.”
Danley has done a little bit of everything for the Seminoles this spring. But she’s taken on a more extensive role considering prior years — Danley hit .386 as a sophomore in 70 at-bats, but in 2026 she’s up to 185 at-bats going into the regional. In the circle, Danley has allowed just one earned run in her last 24.2 innings and has been a formidable 1-2 punch with Francik as the Seminoles won their 20th ACC softball championship.
FSU has mixed in freshman Bella Dimitrijevic (8-3, 4.26 ERA in 29 appearances) as well as Makenna Reid (5-1, 4.47 ERA in 28 appearances) but Alameda is often leaning on Francik and Danley.
“Lefty, righty. The pitches that she throws, the pitches that I throw are obviously different,” Danley said. “So you have a different look, but she can get the up balls, I'm obviously more down.
“We know that if one of us isn't going to get done, the other one is. So I think all of our pitchers, I think we all give a different look. It's just super cool to see that.”
Friday’s games
• Game 1 – 12:00 PM: FSU vs. Stetson (ESPNU)
• Game 2 – 2:30 PM: UCF vs. Jacksonville State (ESPN+)
Saturday’s games
• Game 3 – 12:00 PM: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
• Game 4 – 2:30 PM: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
• Game 5 – 5:00 PM: Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
Sunday’s games
• Game 6 – 12:00 PM: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
• Game 7 (if necessary) – 2:30 PM: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
