LeTourneau University Coach Stan Wells will retire at the end of the 2024 season. Wells served on the staff at LeTourneau for 11 seasons, the last eight as head coach. He amassed 124 victories during that time. Assistant Coach Macey Mize will transition to the next head coach at the conclusion of this season. She has been on staff with the program for the last five years.
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UAV Ceases Operation
The University of Antelope Valley in Lancaster, California has closed its doors and ceased operation of their athletic programs in the middle of this spring semester and season.
The institute announced the move in a statement this week. The private, for-profit university’s accreditation agency, the WASCC, placed UAV on probation last summer after the commission found that UAV “has serious issues of noncompliance with WSCUC standards.” On Feb. 29, the state Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education ordered UAV to cease all business citing the school’s severe financial position, insufficient administration and insufficient facilities.
Antelope Valley Athletics sponsored seven sports and were NAIA members of the California Pacific Conference. UAV Softball was 3-9 on the season and last played March 1 before the institute shuttered.
Mendoza Contract Extended At ESPN
Former All-American and Gold Medalist Jessica Mendoza has signed a multi-year extension to remain at ESPN. The star at Stanford then with Team USA has worked as a baseball and softball analyst for the company for the last 17 years. Her duties will continue to be coverage of the World Series on ESPN Radio, studio duties including Get Up, First Take, SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight. She will also handle color commentary responsibilities for the Women’s College World Series and the Little League World Series Championship.
RTS Heads To Lakeland, Flordia
RTS heads to Lakeland, Florida tomorrow for a doubleheader matchup between Southeastern (13-7) and Calumet College of St. Joseph (4-13). Game 1 between the Fire and Crimson Wave begins at 1 pm EST. Game 2 will follow at 3 pm EST. Check back here and on all RTS Social Media platforms for live in-game updates from the Sunshine State.
NCAA Releases RPI
The NCAA has released the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index), and the undefeated LSU Tigers sit atop at 19-0. The rating is used to rank teams based upon a program’s wins and losses and on its strength of schedule. The RPI is also a quantitative used in selection of the NCAA Postseason in May. The complete rating of all 307 Division I teams can be found at https://www.ncaa.com/…/soft…/d1/ncaa-womens-softball-rpi
Bethurum To Retire
The 2024 season will be the last for Arizona Western College Head Coach Nikki Bethurum. The longtime leader of the Matadors will retire. Bethurum spent 15 seasons leading AWC. During that time she guided the program to two Region I Titles and appearances in the NJCAA DI Softball Championship. She has amassed 503 victories.
OU Falls, Still No. 1
Oklahoma’s first loss in 71 games over the weekend, still the top team in this week’s Softball America DI Top 25.
| Rank | School | Record | Last Week’s Record | Last Week’s Ranking |
|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 18-1 | 4-1 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas | 17-1 | 6-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Duke | 16-1 | 3-0 | 4 |
| 4 | LSU | 19-0 | 6-0 | 5 |
| 5 | Stanford | 13-4 | 3-0 | 7 |
| 6 | Georgia | 15-3 | 3-2 | 3 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | 17-2 | 4-0 | 6 |
| 8 | Washington | 16-2 | 4-0 | 8 |
| 9 | Alabama | 19-1 | 3-1 | 10 |
| 10 | Clemson | 13-4 | 2-2 | 9 |
| 11 | Virgina Tech | 15-3-1 | 3-0 | 14 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 12-4 | 4-0 | 11 |
| 13 | Baylor | 11-3 | 3-0 | 12 |
| 14 | Missouri | 17-2 | 4-0 | 13 |
| 15 | California | 19-2 | 4-1 | 22 |
| 16 | Florida | 19-3 | 4-1 | 16 |
| 17 | Arizona | 17-3-1 | 1-2-1 | 15 |
| 18 | Mississippi State | 17-3 | 6-0 | 21 |
| 19 | Texas A&M | 19-2 | 5-1 | 19 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 18-2 | 5-0 | 24 |
| 21 | Arkansas | 18-4 | 4-1 | 18 |
| 22 | UCLA | 11-6 | 4-1 | 23 |
| 23 | Boston | 13-1 | 0-0 | 25 |
| 24 | Auburn | 12-2-1 | 5-0 | NR |
| 25 | Kentucky | 13-4 | 2-2 | 20 |
Dropped out of Rankings: Florida State
Received Votes: Florida State, NC State
Notre Dame College To Close
Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio will close their doors at the end of the spring semester after more than 100 years. The institute cited declining enrollment, rising costs and significant debt to the decision to cease operation.
The institute currently has 24 sports competing at the Division II level. The NDC Softball Squad is currently 4-2 on the season and set to compete in their spring swing to Florida starting Saturday in Clermont.
UTEP Head Coach’s Wife Diagnosed With Adenocarcinoma
Collegiate Softball Coaching is an ultra-competitive and sometime win at any cost sport. However when one of that fraternity are in need, a profession and sport wide call is answered.
RTS has learned that University of Texas at El Paso Head Coach TJ Hubbard’s wife, Kara Hubbard, was recently diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma in January. The Stage 4 disease has spread from her colon to her liver, lungs, adrenal gland and lymph nodes.
Coach Hubbard is in his fifth season leading the UTEP program. Kara and TJ Hubbard are the parents of three daughters age 16, 12, and 9. Any assistance for the Hubbard Family during their time of need can be made through a Go Fund Me campaign at Fundraiser for Tony Hubbard by Susan Highfill : Donate to help the Hubbard family (gofundme.com)
RTS Continues Swing Through Florida
RTS heads back to Tampa tomorrow for the in-state doubleheader matchup between South Florida (10-5) and Stetson (6-8). Game 1 between the Bulls and Hatters starts at 3 pm EST at USF Softball Stadium. Game 2 will follow at 5:30 pm EST. Check back here and on all RTS Social Media platforms for live in-game updates.