Simply put, he’s Softball’s Godfather…As had been expected for the last several weeks and the topic of conversation in Arizona’s appearance at the WCWS the last week, head coach Mike Candrea has announced his retirement from coaching. Candrea coached the Wildcats for 36 seasons amassing 1,674 wins which stands as the NCAA softball leader. He led Arizona to eight national championships during his legendary tenure, more than any coach in NCAA Softball history. The Wildcats also made 24 trips to the Women’s College World Series, missing just eight times in the last 32 years. The Hall of Famer also coached Fifty-three All-Americans.
WCWS Day Four Results
Women’s College World Series Day Four Results:
Game 11
Oklahoma 6
James Madison 3
Game 12
Florida State 2
Alabama 0
WCWS Day Five (Monday) Schedule:
Game 13
3 pm CST
Oklahoma
James Madison
Game 14
6 pm CST
Florida State
Alabama
Georgia Coach Harris-Champer Retires
Lu Harris-Champer has announced her retirement as head coach at Georgia. Harris-Champer spent 21 seasons as coach of the Bulldogs. In 25 total seasons as a college head coach, she amassed over 1,100 victories. She took teams to 23 NCAA Tournaments and seven Women’s College World Series appearances. She concludes her career in the top-25 all-time in NCAA victories with 1,168.
WCWS Day Three Results
Women’s College World Series Day Three Results:
Game 7
Oklahoma 8
Georgia 0
6 innings
(Georgia Eliminated)
Game 8
Arizona 3
Florida State 4
(Arizona Eliminated)
Game 9
UCLA 3
Oklahoma 10
(UCLA Eliminated)
Game 10
Florida State 4
Oklahoma State 2
(Oklahoma State Eliminated)
WCWS Day Four (Sunday) Schedule:
Game 11
Noon CST
Oklahoma
James Madison
Game 12
2:30 pm CST
Florida State
Alabama
Game 13
6 pm CST
Oklahoma
James Madison
Game 14
8:30 pm CST
Florida State
Alabama
(If Necessary)
East Tennessee State And Irwin Part Ways
RTS has learned that East Tennessee State and head coach Brad Irwin have parted ways. Irwin, the all-time winningest coach in program history, spent 11 seasons leading the Buccaneers amassing 179 wins. His 2017 team won the programs first Southern Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Postseason for the first time.
WCWS Day Two Results
Women’s College World Series Day Two Results:
Game 5
Oklahoma State 1
James Madison 2
Game 6
Alabama 6
UCLA 0
WCWS Day Three (Saturday) Schedule:
Game 7
11 am CST
Oklahoma
Georgia
Game 8
1:30 pm CST
Arizona
Florida State
Game 9
6 pm CST
UCLA
Winner of Game 7
Game 10
8:30 pm CST
Oklahoma State
Winner of Game 8
Southern Oregon Wins NAIA National Title
Southern Oregon won the NAIA National Championship battling through the elimination bracket to defeat Oregon Tech twice, 3-2 and 7-5. The second game to claim the title was a nine inning battle between the two squads. The National Championship was back-to-back for the Raiders as they also won the title in 2019.
WCWS Day One Results
Women’s College World Series Day One Results:
Game 1
James Madison 4
Oklahoma 3
8 innings
Game 2
Georgia 2
Oklahoma State 3
Game 3
Arizona 1
Alabama 5
Game 4
Florida State 0
UCLA 4
WCWS Day Two (Friday) Schedule:
Game 5
6 pm CST
James Madison
Oklahoma State
Game 6
8:30 pm CST
Alabama
UCLA
Stefanoni Out At UMass
University of Massachusetts Head Coach Kristi Stefanoni will not return for a ninth season leading the Minutewomen. Stefanoni has been part of the program for 15 seasons having been an assistant before taking the reins of the program. She compiled a record of 167-158-1 and 90-49-1 in the Atlantic 10.
Northwestern Oklahoma State Hires Wondrasek
Northwestern Oklahoma State has named Ryan Wondrasek their new head coach. Wondrasek has served the last three seasons as head coach at Seward County Community College. He amassed a record of 42-55 including a 17-17 record in 2021.