Lonni Alameda smiles when she tells stories about the maturation of Florida State’s softball players through the years. She loves seeing their growth and transformation from freshmen to seniors and calls herself a proud “coach parent.”

There are plenty of certainties about the team in 2026: Isa Torres is the nation’s top shortstop, Jaysoni Beachum is the ACC’s best third baseman, Jazzy Francik and Ashtyn Danley anchor a deep pitching staff and Kennedy Harp returns off a season-ending injury to be one of the league’s top hitters and outfielders.

That’s more than enough talent and experience as FSU was again projected to win the ACC’s preseason rankings, earning 12 of 15 first-place votes.

But the season will also hinge on the development of nine freshmen, who will fill varying roles in the circle, infield and at catcher and, yes, they will no doubt test Alameda’s patience. How well the veterans produce and lead the way, through experience and their words, will go a long way toward helping the freshmen develop through a challenging schedule.

FSU opens the season on Thursday against Samford (6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra), the first of 22 games in a packed February calendar that also includes a trip to the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational.

“Everyone gets nerves at this point, because now you're going out in front of everyone and showing what you've been working on,” Alameda said. “But it's excited nerves. I've just really enjoyed this team and the growth. We kicked off in London and did that little trip out there to have good connection this time of year. And it feels good to feel that connection, so to kind of see that vision as a staff, to see it actually coming to fruition right now that they're prepared for the opportunity that February brings us.”

Alameda said the veterans pushed the freshmen. But early on, it was also the freshmen that impressed. A summer trip to England, to bond and play softball exhibitions against local teams, also helped.

“That first week before we took off to London, they (freshmen) were winning every conditioning race. They were getting after it,” Alameda said. “They all of a sudden set the tone. ‘Whoa.’ The returners are like, ‘Wow. Freshmen are here to get after it.’ They set the tone. They flipped that to now our returners are training at a high level. So they pushed them to be a little bit different in their training.

“And then the wisdom of the returners were giving to the freshmen of how to get after it every day. That's a totally different mindset when you're coming in as a high school player and a club player. You're trying to bring it every single day for 60-plus game season. And so they've just really meshed in that. We'll see it go on the stage now, we feel like we've done a really good job, but we're going to be put to the test as we jump into the schedule that we have in February.”

Alameda mentioned one freshman, Marin Heller, has stood out at second base. She would likely round out an infield that includes Beachum, Torres and first baseman Angelee Bueno. Alameda said Hayley Griggs has also played multiple positions in scrimmages, too.

But there are question marks elsewhere. And they won’t be resolved on opening day or by the end of the first weekend. It could take a month or so to see who is ready to fill various roles.

“We've got a really good schedule in the month of February, so we're going to really feel all the testing of the training that we've been doing,” Alameda said. “And then be able, at the end of February to make some adjustments and move forward for the ACC season.”

Here are some notes and bullet points as FSU closes in on its first game:

Closing in on 1,000: Alameda has 968 career wins, including her time at UNLV. She is an impressive 811-226-2 as she begins her 18th season at FSU.

2025 record: FSU went 49-12 and reached the Super Regionals.

Key losses: Michaela Edenfield, Jahni Kerr, Amaya Ross, Katie Dack, Hallie Wacaser, Annabelle Widra and Julia Apsel.

Returning All-ACC players: Torres hit .436 with nine home runs, 70 runs scored and 45 RBI in 2025. Harp hit .412 with nine home runs, 49 RBI and 10 triples and Beachum hit .304 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI and 51 runs. A right-hander, Francik was 10-3 with a 1.51 ERA and 87 strikeouts with 19 walks in 92.2 innings. Danley, a left-hander, was 14-2 with a 1.60 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 38 walks in 105 innings.

Incoming freshmen: Harlie Chism, Bella Dimitrijevic, Averi Dockery, Marlee Gaskell, Hayley Griggs, Marin Heller, Anna Hinde, Danika Spinogatti and Makenna Sturgis.

Who will be the catcher?: The candidates include senior Madi Frey, redshirt freshman Bella Ruggiero and freshman Anna Hinde.

Best home games: FSU will play host to early season tournaments in February. But you should also circle games against Alabama (Feb. 20 and 21). Texas Tech travels to FSU on March 18. Florida visits on April 22.

Best road games: FSU will travel to the prestigious Clearwater Invitational to face Texas Tech (Feb. 12), Florida Atlantic (Feb. 13), UCLA (Feb. 14) and Tennessee (Feb. 15). The Seminoles will visit Clemson (March 27-29), Stanford (April 10-12), Georgia Tech (April 24-26) and Florida (April 28). The ACC tournament rotates annually, and will be at Charlottesville, Va., on May 6-9.

Preseason rankings: FSU is No. 7 in the D1softball poll, the top ACC team. Texas Tech is No. 2, with Florida at No. 5. Other ACC ranked teams: No. 15 Clemson, No. 16 Duke, No. 18 Stanford, No. 20 Virginia Tech, No. 25 Virginia.

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