Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

It was another up-and-down season for Seminole Softball. 2007 saw a streaky FSU team win games big against even or lower competition, and lose a lot of close games to the Top 25 teams. FSU fell in two straight games, a loss to Cal and a loss to #5 Alabama, in the Tuscaloosa Regional. The Noles ended on a sour note, after rebounding late in the season with a 7 game win streak.

Is it disappointing? Yes. Should anybody really be surprised? No. The 2007 Seminoles are very young, but they are talented and should be even better next year. Granted, Veronica Wootson and Yuruby Alicart have made their last throw in a Seminole uniform, but youngsters waiting on the bench are ready to step up. Rumor has it that Wootson will be back as a graduate assistant next year, which will help the new Seminole middle infielders.

Let’s focus on the positive though, and hand out some ScalpEm.com 2007 Awards (for which nobody receives anything, we’re way too cheap for that).

The I Didn’t Know You Before, But Now I Do Award: Monica Montez. It looks like there’s another All-Everything in FSU’s stables. Monica Montez crushed the ball when given the opportunity. She’s only a freshman. Expect big things over the next few years from her.

The I Can’t Get Any Run Support Award: Tiffany McDonald. I’m always shocked when the Noles score more than two for her. She’s the workhorse for the Noles, and has been for her entire career (yes, even when Casey Hunter was finishing out her Seminole career, McDonald was throwing plenty of innings). Maybe for Tiffany’s senior season, the Noles can dig up a bunch of runs for her. She deserves better than the endless supply of 2-1 losses she receives. Seriously, it’s criminal to have a 17-15 record with a 1.62 ERA.

The We’re Ready To Shine Now Award: It’s a tie between Melissa May and Terese Gober, FSU’s other aces on the pitching staff. May’s 1.70 ERA and Gobers 2.02 are great. They’re ready for prime time. (Don’t forget about Kayla Collins either, who also turned in a sub 3.00 ERA performance this season in limited action.

The Watch Me Drop Bombs Award: Yuruby Alicart. 14 Home Runs, some of which landed on the ramp to the parking garage in left. ‘Nuff said.

The “Hey Can I Get An At Bat” Award: Another tie, this time for Robin Petrovich and Amanda Moore. Seriously, JoAnne, would it kill you to let them get 1 AB during a season? What’s the worst that could happen? I realize Moore did a fair amount of pinch running, but Petrovich busts her rear end in the pen all year. Give her some PT!

Best Intro Music: Robin Ahrberg, who used “Fly Robin Fly” by Silver Connection. I still think a pirate song is in order though, and she should be announced as “Ahhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrberg.”

ScalpEm.com MVP: Veronica Wootson. She did everything she was supposed to do and more from the day she laced up her cleats for FSU. This season, the Noles went as Wootson went. Her bat was amazing, her speed was amazing and Seminole Softball fans should hope that she returns as a graduate assistant. Her knowledge of the game will help future Noles.

In all seriousness, thank you Seminoles for another entertaining season. ScalpEm.com wishes the seniors the very best as they head on to the next step of their lives. For the returning players, work hard! 2008 is free for you to write, however you wish!