Sydney Sherrill leaves Florida State softball program with compelling legacy

Toward the end of a phone interview while in Pittsburgh for the ACC Tournament two weeks ago, Sydney Sherrill reflected on how she’s grown as a softball player since her freshman season at Florida State.

“I had never really played second base before,” Sherrill told the Democrat. “Trying to learn from the greats like Jessie Warren and Cali Harrod was definitely hard, but they took me under their wing. Learning from them is kind of the reason why I am who I am today. And I’m really thankful for that, getting to learn from players like Jessie Warren and stepping into her shoes at third base.

“I’m thankful for that and throughout the years, having great defenders come in like (second baseman) Devyn (Flaherty) and being able to share what Jessie Warren taught me and grow and develop together.”

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What Sherrill taught Flaherty and the rest of the Seminole softball program should similarly leave a lasting impact. She concluded her collegiate career Sunday – along with pitcher Danielle Watson and outfielder Maegan Tomlinson – as one of the most accomplished FSU softball players ever.

Sherrill’s accolades include being a three-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-ACC first-teamer while ranking top 10 in most of the major statistical categories in program history. Sherrill also played a major role in bringing the Seminoles their first national title as a true freshman in 2018.

At third base, Sherrill set the tone for an FSU defense that finished this season with its best fielding percentage (.982) under head coach Lonni Alameda and ranked No. 2 nationally behind Boise State (.983).

“They are both just really incredible people, and I’ve learned so much from them,” pitcher Kathryn Sandercock said of Sherrill and Watson. “They’ve impacted my life a lot. Everybody on the team would say the same thing. They’ve all really impacted us. They are really going to be missed. It just really sucks that it ended this way for them. But I love them both so much. And I’m really thankful to have played with them.”

Their time with the Seminoles certainly came to a stunning end. Mississippi State eliminated FSU from the postseason after winning both games in the Tallahassee Regional Final. The Seminoles failed to reach the Super Regionals for the first time since 2012 despite claiming their highest national seed in the NCAA Tournament ever at No. 2 overall.

But FSU should be back. Sherrill leaves a compelling legacy that’s expected to be carried on by those who will follow her. Just as she did with players like Warren and Harrod.

“Florida State has meant everything to me,” said Sherrill following the Tallahassee Regional. “I’m really thankful that I got to play five years here. I’m thankful for the extra COVID year and thankful for this coaching staff. It’s an immeasurable amount of things for me as a person and a player.

"I just don’t really know how to pay them back. I’m very grateful. It sucks, but I’m thankful to still be a Seminole.”

Ali DuBois gives FSU promising outlook next season

The outlook for FSU next season looks promising with how many of its significant players are eligible to return.

Overall, the Seminoles could bring back starting catcher Michaela Edenfield, first baseman Mack Leonard, Flaherty, shortstop Josie Muffley, outfielders Kaley Mudge, Jahni Kerr and Kalei Harding, usual designated player Chloe Culp and Sandercock. FSU has various other players that could push for playing time, too.

The most impactful development for the Seminoles, though, should be the availability of starting pitcher Ali DuBois. The sixth-year rising senior sat out last season after transferring from Boston University to FSU.

Without Watson, the Seminoles need a quality No. 2 behind Sandercock. Mack Leonard, Emma Wilson and Brianna Enter are options, but DuBois figures to be the most capable pitcher to fill that role.

DuBois impressed as the ace pitcher for the Terriers, posting a 25-2 record with a 1.05 ERA in the 2021 season. She’s only the third player in Patriot League history to claim the conference’s Pitcher of the Year award three times.

Third base is the only other significant void FSU needs to fill. Sherrill offered a possible blueprint for who the Seminoles should start at that position. She improved their defense after moving from second to third following her freshman season. Flaherty happens to be FSU’s best infielder at second base among its returning starters.

The Seminoles may not want to move Flaherty from the position she earned All-ACC honors at the past two seasons, though. If Flaherty stays at second, FSU might consider Brooke Blankenship. The former five-star recruit played sparingly as a true freshman last season but is thought to be a future star.

Seminoles adding four freshmen from 2022 recruiting class

Pitchers Madi Balk and Makenna Reid, catcher/utility Madi Frey, and shortstop/utility Avery Weisbrook are the four freshmen who signed to FSU’s 2022 recruiting class and will join the team this fall.

Whether any of those four players will receive immediate playing time early in their careers remains to be seen. Weisbrook (40) and Frey (73) could have the best chance as top 75 recruits nationally, per Extra Innings Softball.

The Seminoles also may not be finished adding to their roster. They tend to be active in the transfer portal this time of year.

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU softball has optimistic outlook after NCAA Regional elimination