Lacey Waldrop left Florida State in 2015 as one of the most decorated athletes in school history. On March 13 the Noles will retire her No. 13 jersey.
With its rich history of All-Americans, ACC titles and national championships, Florida State softball has established itself as one of the elite softball programs in the nation.
On Friday, March 13 the Noles will honor Lacey Waldrop, one of the greatest players not just at the school, but also one of the best players the Atlantic Coast Conference has ever seen.
Waldrop will have her No. 13 jersey retired at a ceremony prior to the ACC opener against the Syracuse Orange. The 2025 FSU Hall of Fame inductee who played with Noles from 2012-15 is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the school.
Let’s look at her career to get a better understanding of how great she was.
In 2012 Waldrop was a freshman who earned All ACC honors. That season the freshman pitched 162.2 innings, while only giving up 107 hits and finished the year with an amazing 1.33 ERA. Waldrop struck out 139 batters, while also going 19-5 with 26 starts.
Sophomore year is when the pitcher really took off. After finishing the season 24-10 with 259 strikeouts in 219.1 innings pitched, the righty was named all ACC, all ACC Tournament, and All American. With 47 appearances during her 2nd season, the hall of famer finished the season with a 1.53 ERA
Waldrop did not let up as a junior, creating personal bests in many categories. The third year player appeared in a career high 48 games going 38-7 while finishing the year with a career best 1.13 ERA.
The All-American struck out a career high 287 batters, while only giving up 190 hits. For her excellence she was named All ACC, All American, ACC Pitcher of the Year, and USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
In 2015 the senior year from Chester, Virginia, finished her FSU career in dominant fashion going 28-7, with 232 strikeouts. With an 1.53 ERA over 41 appearances the former national Player of the Year was once again named All ACC, All American, and again, ACC Pitcher of the Year.
No other pitcher has more wins in program history than Waldrop with 109. She still ranks among the top five at FSU in appearances, strikeouts and saves. During her time at FSU she helped the Noles win three regular-season ACC titles and two ACC tournaments.
In 2014 Waldrop led Florida State to the College World Series for the first time in a decade.
One more thing, Waldrop epitomized what it meant to be a student-athlete as she was a member of the all ACC Academic Team in 2014 and 2015.
The Chicago Bandits drafted the HOFer with the third pick in the 2015 National Pro Fastpitch draft. Waldrop helped the Bandits win the league title in 2015 and 2016.
She is currently an assistant coach with the Houston Cougars.
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