ACC Softball 2018: What and Who to Watch
2017 Conference Champs: Florida State
The Seminoles claimed their fourth-straight and 14th overall conference title in 2017. Head Coach Lonni Alameda spoke on her program winning four straight ACC titles: “Consistency, that’s something that you talk about getting buy-in from your program from your staff to your players, to your recruits, and the standards that you set, and not waver in them. I think over time if you have pretty good success you have some standards that are very consistent within juniors and seniors to sophomores and freshmen and your staff, too. It speaks loud to the consistency our culture and our program.”
Team to Watch in 2018: Duke
The Duke softball program will be set to kick off its inaugural season in 2018. Head Coach Marissa Young has been building her coaching staff and roster over the past few years. Laura Valentino and Lacey Waldrop complete the coaching staff, both who bring their impressive playing resumes. Waldrop is no stranger to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Waldrop was a two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year selection and the 2014 USA Softball National Player of the Year pick at Florida State while helping the Seminoles to a four-year record of 195-58 with three ACC regular season championships, two ACC Tournament crowns and four NCAA Tournament berths including one College World Series appearance in 2014. Duke will kick off the 2018 season at the FAU Tournament on Thursday, February 8th against Florida Atlantic.
Pitcher to Watch: Brittany Pickett, University of North Carolina
Pickett put together one of the best rookie campaigns in UNC program history, excelling in the circle and at the plate. On the mound, Pickett made 50 pitching appearances in 2017, 30 of them being games she started. She finished the season with a (22-10) record, a (2.81) ERA, (151) strikeouts, and a school record six saves in (221.2) innings pitched. From the plate, Pickett held a (.299) batting average, a (.585) slugging percentage, a (.452) on-base percentage, and blasted (12) home runs in her freshman campaign for the Tar Heels. Pickett was named a top-10 Finalist for NFCA National Freshman of the Year and ACC Freshman of the Year.
Player to Watch: Jessie Warren, Florida State
The 2017 ACC Overall Player and Defensive Player of the Year, led the ACC in eight different categories. Warren batted (.567) in ACC play with (14) home runs, (39) RBI and an impressive (1.373) slugging percentage. On the season as a whole, Warren batted (.413), hit (23) home runs, (68 RBI), and a slugging percentage of (.922). The third baseman also finished the season with a (.938) fielding percentage and received NFCA All-American first team honors. 2018 will bring Warren’s senior season and if she can produce, she will not only help lead her team to success, but she could have a shot at being named the 2018 USA Softball Player of the Year.
2018 Conference Champion Prediction: Florida State
Even though Florida State graduated their ace pitcher, they will still be the team to beat in the ACC. Meghan King can be expected to pick up the majority of the innings this season. She had a breakout season in 2017, posting a pitching record of (27-3) with a (1.50) ERA and earned wins over No. 1 Florida and No. 9 Arizona. With the pitching covered, the Seminoles also return important pieces to their potent offense. UNC and Brittany Pickett could give FSU a run during the regular season, but our gut is leaning towards a fifth straight conference title.
