Seven Seminoles Honored By The Atlantic Coast Conference

Release from Florida State Athletics:

Six members of the Florida State softball team, along with head coach Lonni Alameda, were honored by the Atlantic Coast Conference as the ACC announced its 2015 postseason awards and All-ACC teams on Thursday.

Alameda was named ACC Coach of the Year for the third year in a row, while Lacey Waldrop earned ACC Pitcher of the Year honors for the second straight season and Jessica Warren received the ACC Freshman of the Year award. Morgan Klaevemann joined Waldrop and Warren on the 2015 All-ACC First Team as Ellie Cooper, Jessica Burroughs and Maddie O’Brien were named to the 2015 All-ACC Second Team.

“I’m really proud of how this entire program has competed this season and these honors are a result of everyone’s hard work, and not just these individuals,” said Alameda. “I’ve always felt that the coach of the year award is more of a coaching staff award, as we wouldn’t be where we are without Coach Wilson and Coach Snider as well as the rest of our support staff.

“Lacey and Jessica have each worked so hard this season and it is great to see them honored by the conference. And with Morgan, Ellie, Maddie and JB having a spot on the All-ACC teams speaks to how well the rest of the team has performed this season by getting on base and making plays in the field.”

Alameda receives her third-straight ACC Coach of the Year honor in 2015 as the Seminoles earned their third consecutive ACC regular season championship. Florida State earned a record of 20-3 versus conference opponents this season, and Alameda has only lost eight total ACC games since 2013.

By earning the conference’s top coaching honor in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Alameda becomes just the second head coach to be named ACC Coach of the Year three consecutive times, joining Georgia Tech’s Sharon Perkins (2009-11).

Waldrop becomes just the second pitcher to earn consecutive ACC Pitcher of the Year honors, joining Virginia Tech’s Angela Tincher, who won the award in three straight seasons (2006-08). The Chester, Va., native posted a 13-2 record with a 1.37 ERA and two saves in conference play this season as she allowed teams to hit just .169 against her. Waldrop is a four-time All-ACC member, with three First Team selections (2013-15).

“It is exciting to get a couple of awards for our team coming into the ACCs as Jessica won freshman of the year,” Waldrop said. “I’m excited to get pitcher of the year again because the pitching has continued to get better in the conference and it just makes me feel like the other coaches respect what I’ve been trying to do for these last couple of years and especially this year.

“I know there have been some great hitters, so it’s been tough, but our defense has played really well. I’m really thankful for all of my teammates and excited to get another award and take that into the tournament. We’re looking to finish strong in ACCs as we get ready for the postseason.”

Warren is the seventh Seminole to be named ACC Freshman of the Year and the first since Monica Montez in 2007. She has been a consistent presence at the plate and leads the Seminoles in eight different categories, including runs scored (46), hits (60), home runs (16), RBI (48) and slugging percentage (.713). Against ACC opponents, Warren batted .403 (29-for-72) with nine home runs and 26 runs batted in. She also hit three doubles with six walks and 22 runs scored in 23 conference games.

“It is absolutely an honor, but it wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates and my coaches,” Warren said. “Coming in, not knowing much about the college level of softball, my teammates have given me an opportunity to produce to put me in this position and I’m very thankful for them and also for the coaches for working with us in the cages. I’m also thankful for the off-the-field help from Cathy Badger, our academic advisor, helping me stay on top of my classes. I’m very thankful for this opportunity.”

Klaevemann earned a spot on the All-ACC First Team after batting .431 (31-for-72) in conference play with eight stolen bases and 18 runs scored. The centerfielder has been perfect in the outfield this season in 47 defensive chances, including four assists with three retiring a runner at the plate. It marks the second time that Florida State has placed two freshmen on the All-ACC team in the same season, matching Misty Molin and Niki Zenger from the 1995 season when there were only five teams in the conference.

O’Brien was named to the All-ACC Second Team, earning postseason conference honors for the second-straight year. The senior shortstop leads the nation with 64 walks and has also recorded 10 home runs and 37 RBI in the regular season.

Burroughs had another solid year in the circle in 2015 and was selected to the All-ACC Second Team after posting a 14-5 record and a 2.51 ERA with 180 strikeouts in the circle this season. The sophomore was also named to the second team in 2014.

Cooper gave the Seminoles a spark in the middle of the lineup and a strong presence on defense as the FSU second baseman. The sophomore earned the first All-ACC accolades of her career, being named to the second team after batting .348 on the season with seven doubles, two triples and a .456 on base percentage.