Florida State is off to Super Regionals, set to face off against the Texas Tech Red Raiders following a dramatic victory over the Auburn Tigers in two games in Tallahassee to kick off NCAA Tournament competition.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Brian and Gwyn break down the Seminoles' regionals performance as well as their matchup vs. Texas Tech. The duo review results from the rest of the field -- including some unexpected upsets -- and look at the road to Oklahoma City for the country at large.

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New FSU basketball coach Luke Loucks discusses his vision for FSU: a fast, three-point-heavy, NBA-style offense and a top-tier defense, inspired by Steve Kerr and Mike Brown. Speaking in Jacksonville, he talks on JU transfer Robert McCray V and how he brings what Loucks believes to be NBA-level athleticism to the squad, part of his first-year approach of blending portal talent with homegrown players. In addition, he spoke on the ACC’s down year (pushing for more investment to rival the SEC), praises Leonard Hamilton’s Hall of Fame legacy and more.

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After wrapping up the annual trip to Amelia Island for the ACC Spring Meetings, FSU head coach Mike Norvell made a stop in Jacksonville on Thursday for a Seminole Boosters event. Before meeting with fans, he spoke with the media on a variety of topics, including his post-spring thoughts on his squad, what he's seen from new quarterback Tommy Castellanos as well as the rest of his gunslingers, what lessons he's taking from last season and more.

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The Florida State softball team will open their NCAA Tournament run at home this Friday as the Seminoles host the Tallahassee Regional. The No. 5 overall seed FSU is set to host the Auburn Tigers for the second year in a row, the USF Bulls and the Robert Morris Colonials as the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 seeds for the weekend.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss the Seminoles draw with this regional, including the unusual path that brought Auburn back to town this year, USF’s strength in the circle and Robert Morris’ potential upset hopes.

They also recap an eventful last two weeks that saw a no-hitter, the announcement of a season-ending injury, clinching an ACC regular season title and a loss in the ACC Tournament Championship Game.

Gwyn and Brian also give their picks for each regional around the country this weekend through Softball America’s World Series Pickem Challenge. And yes, that includes who they expect to be in Tallahassee next weekend for the Super Regionals plus some top-seed upsets around the country.

As we get started on the postseason run, thank you for listening all year long and allowing us to talk softball with you. We’re excited to watch the next month of softball ahead.

May 16

May 17

*Loser eliminated

*Loser eliminated

May 18

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The Florida State Seminoles softball team is heading to Virginia Tech this weekend one win away from clinching the ACC regular season championship and the top seed in next week’s ACC Tournament.

For the Noles, it’s been a strong last few weeks as they enter the final week of the regular season 16-2 in conference play, 42-7 overall and currently on the right side of the top-eight national seed bubble.

On this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin look at the biggest strengths of the team with the large majority of the year in the rearview mirror, the growth to sure up some weak spots, the potential ACC Tournament sleepers and the bracketology outlook for the Noles with just a few games remaining before the NCAA Regionals get underway.

Plus, they look back at this week’s Senior Showcase honoring an outstanding class of seniors who have left a lasting mark on the program and Michaela Edenfield’s Golden Moment.

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With spring camp firmly in the books for Florida State, head coach Mike Norvell met with the media on Wednesday for a post-spring press conference, touching on what he called a “very productive spring.”

“I thought that we really got a great glimpse of the potential of what this team can be,” Norvell said, praising players for “trying to be their best, trying to challenge each other, trying to compete.”

One of the highlights for him was the way the team responded following a lackluster practice towards the end of spring, bouncing back to showcase the execution he had been searching for up to that point: “To see the way that they responded the next two days was really a great opportunity for them to show a little bit of that grit, a little bit of that desire and the edge.”

With spring practice cut two practices short due to the tragic shooting on campus (“I definitely think that was the right decision to be made”), the Seminoles will look to offseason and summer workouts to pick up the work and further establish continuity.

Norvell spoke on the offensive line, which was one of the position groups hardest hit by injuries this spring, saying that “it’s gonna be a group that has great experience… potentially one of the great strengths of what this team can be,” while saying that the attrition in the receiver room was a result of “real conversations” due to being over numbers.

“Nothing’s happened I can say was just absolutely unexpected.....I’m really pleased with some of the newcomers that joined the program in January, and I really believe that the growth of guys that have been here.”

He was especially complimentary of the quarterbacks, saying that watching the group was “one of the highlights of our spring ball.” Florida State added transfer quarterback Jalen King last week, something that excited Norvell as he anticipates King to “hit the ground running....he’s going to be a great addition to the quarterback room. We’ve had the last few years we only had three scholarship quarterbacks… being able to have another talented young man in that room… is gonna provide great depth.”

The head coach also spoke on tight end Markeston Douglas’ decision to remain with the Seminoles after previously announcing his desire to transfer for the second time in three years, saying “I’m grateful that he is here… I think we’ve got a chance to have a really dynamic tight end room… Markeston definitely brings tremendous value and playmaking ability.”

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Florida State coaches said before hitting the field for spring practices that the first part of camp would be about installation, familiarity and establishing healthy habits.

Thursday marked the eighth day of spring practice, meaning the Noles are on the back nine of camp — and with the second of three scrimmages looming this coming Saturday, head coach Mike Norvell “wants to see guys take another step.”

He didn’t see it on Thursday, however, saying after practice that he saw the team put together an up-and-down day with “lulls” throughout practice.

“I didn’t think today was a bad practice, I just think there are moments we have to be better...We had two drops that were big play opportunities, and we have to eliminate that.”

The head coach said Saturday’s scrimmage, the only open-media activity of the spring, will “be a little more game-like” with a continued emphasis on situational reps.

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Fresh off a series sweep of NC State, Florida State softball now heads into a Top 10 matchup against the Florida Gators.

But even during a major season so far for the Seminoles, some things stand out as bigger than sports.

In this episode of the Seminole Softball Wrap podcast, Gwyn Rhodes and Brian Pellerin discuss head coach Lonni Alameda’s recent breast cancer diagnosis, the outpouring of support for her, and her impact on the program.

Switching gears back to the diamond, the duo discuss a big win on the road over a ranked Duke Blue Devils and the continuing to roll against Stetson and NC State. Gwyn offers her insight into the home game against Florida and what the Gators bring to the table, wrapping up with thoughts on the ‘Noles upcoming trip back out West to face a pair of California teams.

Gwyn and Brian also talk about the ongoing Brady Vernon vs. Ellis Family Twitter battle, women’s basketball Sweet 16 and a trip to the ACC Tournament.

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Florida State football held its first practice of April, with Tuesday serving as the seventh day of spring camp.

The Seminoles scrimmaged on Saturday, offering the coaching staff’s first look into the team in situational action and the player’s first opportunity to measure their progress so far.

“We wanted to see a day of response...whether it’s drastic improvement or just a fundamental focus, situational awareness, the different elements that you get coming out of a scrimmage that will show up, especially for a lot of newcomers,” head coach Mike Norvell said. “It was a good test to see the mindset, response.”

Norvell said he liked the energy that the team came with, especially with the staff putting them in situations where a competitive edge was needed — “defined winner-loser” portions where the aim was to build off what was seen on Saturday.

“I thought guys handled it well, it was good physicality, good speed....guys that were given a great opportunity, we’re getting a great perspective of exactly where they are and I think some guys are taking advantage of it.”

Norvell highlighted the performance of several players from the scrimmage — running back Sam Singleton, wide receiver Elijah Moore, defensive back Earl Little and linebacker Omar Graham, who specifically was singled out for continued elevation over the past week, capping it off with a strong showing in the scrimmage.

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As Florida State football continues to increase its workload, the Seminoles took the field Saturday for their first spring scrimmage. Mike Norvell told reporters in Tallahassee on Thursday that today’s practice would be mostly situational, with a heavy emphasis on the red zone on third down.

Norvell opened his statement by giving specifics for the day’s proceedings. He said the team went “roughly 110-120 plays” with some special-teams work at the beginning of practice. After, he highlighted players who stepped up during the scrimmage.

“I thought Sam Singleton had a couple of big plays, and Roydell has gotten back in the swing, Jaylin Lucas had a TD run. Defensively, we were able to create a couple of takeaways. Earl had an INT, and Ethan Pritchard had a pick-six.”

Norvell also touched on the quarterback room and the moxie from Tommy Castellanos, Brock Glenn, and true freshman Kevin Sperry, who all receive substantial reps.

“QBs, I’ll have a chance to go back and watch. We mixed the three pretty good, Tommy, Brock, and Kevin. For the first scrimmage, I was really impressed with what I saw from Kevin.”

Norvell said he watched the scrimmage from the middle of the field, letting his coordinators run the sidelines and call all the plays. He seemed content with how the day went, and reading between the lines, the defense took the upper hand, although it is almost impossible to tell.

Gus Malzahn took the podium next and, in his head coaching style, provided an opening statement of the day and his side of the ball through six spring practices.

“60 runs, 40 passes, by design. All three QBs played, pretty much equal reps. I learned a lot about our guys individually. It was good to see them respond to success and adversity. Overall, I like our guys’ attitude.”

Malzahn stated that the first part of practice is heavy installation with some more specifics coming later in camp. He mentioned they rotate constantly at all positions, but Luke Petitbon “is off to a great start.” The former UCF head coach singled out QB Kevin Sperry for his work throughout March practice.

“Kevin has got a skill set. He can really run. He’s growing, the moment has never been too big for him, which is unusual for a true freshman. You have to have QBs that are desperate to be all they can be, and I think all three of them are.”

FSU’s first-year defensive coordinator, Tony White, rounded out the day and focused on the group’s mentality more than anything. He repeatedly reiterated that he only cares about what the product on the field looks like over physical measurables and that responding after giving up a play matters more to him than allowing the massive gain.

“We’re trying to create a mindset where you give up a play, ‘so what?’ Play football.”

“We gave up a big play, and Elijah (Herring) chases a guy down 30 or 40 yards, and gets him down at the ten. On the very next play, we get an interception. So, we’ve had a lot of teaching moments.”

Two returners continue to flash on the field, DB Earl Little Jr., and DT Darrell Jackson Jr., and White touched on two moments today where they rose to the occasion.

“D-Jax can literally be the top defensive lineman in the country. He had a great play today. In the red zone period last practice, he missed a call today. Today, I saw him make the corrections and create a tackle for -4 or -5. I said that’s it right there.”

“Earl has had some of the biggest hits and the best plays. Earl is him. He is truly him back there. It is fun to watch him play.”

All coaches mentioned that rewatching the film would be critical to creating a firm takeaway on the outing, but being around their players in the game setting taught them more about their characters than they knew before today.

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