Rounding Third Softball

University of Montevallo has named Beth Wade their new head coach. Wade spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at the College of Charleston. Before her stint with the Cougars she served five years as the head coach at Gulf Coast State College in Florida where she posted a record of 167-95.

Today the planet celebrates World Softball Day.

Every June 13 since its inception in 2005, World Softball Day was established to celebrate the sport of softball, which is played by approximately 30 million people around the world.

Players, leagues, national federations, fans and officials can join this yearly celebration sharing their softball message and photos on social media along with the hashtag, #WorldSoftballDay.

The creation of World Softball Day was inspired by the June 13, 1991 announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that women’s softball for the first time, would be included on the Olympic programme starting with the Atlanta 1996 Games.

Scott Long has been promoted to head coach at Mars Hill University. Long has been on staff as an assistant coach with the Mountain Lions for the past two seasons. He takes over for Christine Roser who stepped down to return to Queens University as associate head coach. Long served as head coach at Salem College from 2010-2018, amassing a 141-127-2 record.

Hope Creasy has stepped down as head coach at Radford. Creasy spent four seasons leading the Highlanders. She compiled a record of 96-88, with her best season coming in her first in 2018 going 36-19 and reaching the Big South Conference championship game.

College of Charleston has named Tracey Lynch the programs new head coach. Lynch has spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach an UNC Greensboro. During her time with the Spartans the program won four Southern Conference regular season titles and qualified for NCAA postseason winning the conference tournament in 2018 and 2021. She had previously served on the CofC staff as an assistant coach in 2013.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced the 2021 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Player and Pitcher of the Year on Friday. This year’s recipients are Rachel Garcia from UCLA (Player of the Year) and Montana Fouts from Alabama (Pitcher of the Year).

Pittsburg State has named Jenny Fuller to lead their program. Fuller joins the Gorillas after serving as head coach at Northern State University in South Dakota for the past four seasons. She led the Wolves to an 85-80 overall record, including a 23-20 mark in the 2021 season.

Shalee Rodriguez has been promoted to head coach at Oklahoma Christian University. She has spent the past three seasons on staff for the Eagles as an assistant helping develop the program as one of the tops in all of DII. Rodriguez replaces Shanon Hays that departed for the head coaching position at DI Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon has named Shanon Hays their next head coach. Hays has spent the last five seasons between DII Colorado Christian and Oklahoma Christian. He also spent time in West Texas first at Lubbock Christian where he led the program to an NAIA National Championship, then across town as head coach at Texas Tech. Hays has compiled a 468-180-5 record in 12 seasons as a collegiate head coach.

At the conclusion of the Women’s College World Series, the NCAA announced the 2021 All-Tournament Team and Most Outstanding Player. The team was voted upon by members of the working media in attendance at the WCWS.

WCWS All-Tournament Team:

Montana Fouts, P, Alabama

Bailey Hemphill, U, Alabama

Kaley Mudge, OF, Florida St.

Kathryn Sandercock, P, Florida St.

Odicci Alexander, P, James Madison

Kate Gordon, OF, James Madison

Jocelyn Alo, U, Oklahoma

Mackenzie Donihoo, IF, Oklahoma

Kinzie Hansen, C, Oklahoma

Tiare Jennings, IF, Oklahoma

Giselle Juarez, P, Oklahoma

Nicole Mendes, U, Oklahoma

Most Outstanding Player:

Giselle Juarez, P, Oklahoma