Rounding Third Softball

East Carolina went the hot name route to find their next head coach. George Washington Coach Shane Winkler is that name and will now lead the ECU program. Winkler spent the past three seasons at GW where he compiled a 91-43 record. The Colonials won both the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament titles in 2021 and advanced to the programs first NCAA Postseason.

Gardner-Webb has named Bailey Wigness the programs new head coach. Wigness joins the Bulldogs after three seasons leading the program at USC Beaufort. While coaching the Sand Sharks she compiled a 78-45 record while also leading her first squad to a conference tournament championship and NAIA Postseason berth in 2019.

Eight NCAA Division II programs have been named Regional Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The awards, voted on by peer members within the coaches association, represent each of the designated NCAA DII Regions.

The Coaching Staffs of the Year are:

West Chester University (Atlantic)

Augustana University (Central)

Saint Anselm College (East)

University of Indianapolis (Midwest)

Auburn University at Montgomery (South)

University of Texas at Tyler (South Central)

University of North Georgia (Southeast)

Biola University (West)

Central Baptist’s Jordon Jones has departed the program after four seasons as head coach RTS has learned. Jones coached the Mustangs to an NCCAA National Championship in her first season in 2018. She departs CBC with an impressive 125-54 record.

UT Dallas Head Coach James Kling has stepped down from his position for personal reasons RTS has confirmed. Kling spent three seasons with the Comets compiling a 29-57 record.

After 25 years leading the program Stetson Head Coach Frank Griffin has announced his retirement. Griffin compiled a record of 761-552 while coaching the Hatters winning a pair of ASUN regular-season championships, two tournament titles, and appeared in the NCAA Postseason twice. The longtime coach retires with 981 total career victories placing him 26th on the NCAA’s all-time coaching wins list.

Binghamton Head Coach Michelle Johnston has stepped down from her position. Johnston spent 12 seasons coaching the Bearcats and won a school-record 251 games while capturing three American East Championships and advancing to the NCAA Postseason in 2015.

USA Softball has announced the list of athletes invited to participate at the 2021 U-18 Junior Women’s National Team (JWNT) Selection Trials to be held June 22-25 at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, OK. Those athletes selected for a spot on the 2021 U-18 JWNT roster will compete at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 World Cup in Peru and the Junior Pan American Games in Columbia later this summer and fall.

The list of invited athletes include:

Reese Atwood

Addison Barnard

Hannah Becerra

Maci Bergeron

Brooke Blakenship

Alyssa Brito

Valerie Cagle

Jayla Castro

Raelin Chafflin

Tatum Clopton

Erin Coffel

Maddie Erickson

Brianna Evans

Kinsey Fielder

Megan Grant

Avery Hodge

Rylee Holtorf

Alissa Humphrey

Olivia Johnson

Teagan Kaven

Ashton Maloney

Mac Morgan

Kennedy Powell

Joecellia Roberts

Keagan Rothrock

Audrey Schneidmiller

Mia Scott

Regan Shockey

Paige Sinicki

Haidyn Sokoloski

Karli Spaid

Keely Williams

Violet Zavodnik

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has announced the three finalists for the 2021 NFCA/Schutt Sports Division I National Freshman of the Year. The award honors outstanding athletic achievement among Division I freshmen softball student-athletes. The winner will be announced on June 1 prior to the start of the Women’s College World Series.

The three finalists are:

Valerie Cagle, Clemson

Jayda Coleman, Oklahoma

Tiare Jennings, Oklahoma

RTS will be in Fayetteville starting tomorrow for the Super Regional matchup between No. 6 national seed and nationally ranked No. 5 Arkansas, and No. 11 seed and nationally ranked No. 9 Arizona. Game 1 starts at 6 pm CST Friday. Follow RTS on Twitter @Rounding3rdSB for real-time in-game updates throughout the weekend from Bogle Park.