« Softball 2015

Lacey Waldrop

School
Florida State University
Position
Pitcher
Major
Editing, Writing and Media

Classroom

Lacey Waldrop graduated this May with a bachelor’s degree in Editing, Writing and Media with a minor in Communications. While 2015 academic honors have yet to be announced, she was previously named to Florida State’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2014, Fall 2013 and Spring 2013 semesters and was the 2014 FSU softball Golden Torch Academic Award recipient for having the highest GPA on the team for the school year. Waldrop has been named to the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll in 2013 and 2014 and earned a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team in 2014. She has participated with internships in media relations as well as radio broadcasting during her time in college. She wrote a biweekly blog for ESPNW during the 2014 season that was published on their website and was a University 101 Health and Sports Writer from June 2013 to December 2013. Waldrop also works as the editor-in-chief of the FSU softball newsletter that is sent out to fans and boosters throughout the year.

Character

According to team personnel, Waldrop is one of the most loving and kind persons you will ever meet. She never fails to put a smile on the faces of those around her because she nearly always has one of her own. Her trademark while in the circle, which encourages fans and teammates and often frustrates opponents, is her devastating array of pitches that are quickly followed by a joyful smile. Her passion for excellence makes everyone around her better. She is always one of the first out at practice, putting in the work on her own in both scouting and physical training, and she sets the tone that the rest of the team will follow. She gives back of her time to the game of softball, teaching at several camps throughout the country during her high school and college career. Waldrop routinely spends times after games, clinics and camps to talk to kids and parents, signing autographs and taking pictures. She enjoys interacting and sharing life with others and is a very caring friend. Waldrop is also a member for the Garnet and Gold Key Society and the Seminole Torchbearers Organization. An excellent public speaker, she has been asked several times to talk at retreats and conventions by different organizations, including the North Carolina Coaches Association and the Road to Freedom Church.

Community

Waldrop is consistently involved with activities and services projects around campus and the Tallahassee community. She has assisted with food drives for the Second Harvest of the Big Bend and participated in the FSU Global Read-a-thons where books are publicly read on campus from cover to cover. She also routinely makes visits to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to interact with those that are affected by breast cancer, making many friendships through FSU’s partnership with the Sharon Ewing Walker Breast Health Center for its annual “Paint It Pink” games. Waldrop has run in the Red Cross 5K and Relay for Life on several occasions and has helped out with the Miracle League, through which sporting events are organized for children and adults of all ages with a wide range of physical and mental abilities. As an FSU Softball “Tribe” member, she has helped organize team-wide community service activities, including cleaning a local road through Tallahassee’s Adopt-a-Street program. Waldrop has also participated in the Florida State Champions Auction and Let Us Play Auction in both 2012 and 2014. She loves to give back and serve those around her, knowing that it touches people’s lives and makes the city a better place.

Competition

One of the top pitchers in collegiate softball, Waldrop was named the 2014 USA Softball National Player of the Year and an NFCA First-Team All-American after leading the NCAA with 38 wins and finishing third nationally with a 1.13 ERA. After another outstanding season in 2015, she is again a candidate for the national player of the year award after posting a season ERA of 1.52, throwing two no-hitters and becoming FSU’s career wins leader with 109. She was named the 2015 ACC Pitcher of the Year and also earned NFCA Southeast All-Region First Team honors. 

During the 2014 season, her 287 strikeouts (12th) and eight shutouts (25th) ranked among the best in the country. She pitched a total of 14.0 consecutive innings, allowing just two runs, on May 23, 2014, as FSU won the final two games of the NCAA Super Regional against Michigan to advance to the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2004. Waldrop set a career-high with 11.0 shutout innings against USF on May 17, 2014, and posted a career-high 18 strikeouts at Florida on March 27, 2013. She earned 2014 ACC Pitcher of the Year honors after setting a single-season conference record with seven ACC Pitcher of the Week awards. She was also named the NFCA National Player of the Week on March 4, 2014.