Rounding Third Softball

SIU Edwardsville Head Coach Jessica Jones has stepped down and will transition into an administrative position within the athletic department. Jones spent three seasons heading the SIUE program. She compiled a 59-70 record while coaching the Cougars.

The NCAA Division I Regional Selections will be announced in just under five hours. If you can’t tune in to the selection show on ESPN 2, RTS will have real-time updates on Twitter @Rounding3rdSB starting at 9 pm EST. A complete regional site listing and those matchups will be available here after the announcement.

East Carolina Coach Courtney Oliver has resigned after six seasons leading the Pirates. Oliver compiled a record of 125-166 and was 29-73 in American Athletic Conference (AAC) play. ECU went 16-33 in the 2021 season.

The No. 3 seed Duke pulled the upset of the No. 1 seed and regular-season champion Clemson in the title game of the ACC Tournament. The Blue Devils downed the Tigers 1-0. The championship is the first for the Blue Devils in the young programs history that started play in 2018. Duke also earns the ACC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Postseason.

At the conclusion of the ACC Championship Showdown in Louisville today between Clemson and eventual 2021 Champion Duke, the ACC announced their all-tournament team. The team was highlighted by Tournament MVP Peyton St. George. The Blue Devil Ace was 2-0 in the ACC Championship and came in for the save in Duke’s 1-0 finals victory over Clemson.

2021 ACC Softball Championship All-Tournament Team

Cammy Pereira, Clemson

Valerie Cagle, Clemson

Kristina Foreman, Duke

Peyton St. George, Duke (MVP)

Gisele Tapia, Duke

Shelby Walters, Duke

Sydney Sherrill, Florida State

Blake Neleman, Georgia Tech

Celene Funke, Louisville

Taty Forbes, North Carolina State

Keely Rochard, Virginia Tech

Ball State senior Alyssa Rothwell set the record for all-time saves in NCAA History on Friday in a 6-3 victory over Buffalo. The record now sits a 33 after the previous record of 32 had stood since 2002. That record had been held by Kellie Wilkerson from Mississippi State.

Longtime San Diego State Coach Kathy Van Wyk has announced her retirement. Van Wyk is the all-time winningest coach in the Mountain West Conference and San Diego State history compiling a record of 805-555-1 in her 25 seasons with the Aztecs. SDSU has their last MWC Series of the year at home against Fresno State starting today.

Liz Kelly has been fired as head coach at Lindenwood. Kelly spent five season seasons with the Lions compiling a 114-84-1 record, but never won an MIAA Championship or advanced to the NCAA Postseason.

Concordia Irvine punched their ticket to the NCAA Postseason on Thursday winning two games against Dominican and Hawaii Hilo. CUI went undefeated in the unique Automatic Qualifier Pod Series 4-0. The No. 11 ranked Eagles now advance to the NCAA West Regional which they will host at Eagles Field in Irvine.

Cristal Brown has resigned as head coach at Idaho State the institute announced. Brown steered the program for only two seasons compiling a 19-41 record.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced today the 15 finalist for the NFCA/Schutt Sports Division I National Freshman of the Year. The winner will be announced before the start of the 2021 NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

The 15 finalist list includes:

Valerie Cagle, Clemson University *

Jayda Coleman, University of Oklahoma

Matalasi Faapito, New Mexico State University *

Shaylon Govan, Stephen F. Austin State University *

Alissa Humphrey, James Madison University

Tiare Jennings, University of Oklahoma

Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State University

Jenna Laird, University of Missouri

Shelby Lowe, Auburn University

Janelle Meoño, University of Arizona *

Devon Miller, Fordham University *

Kiki Milloy, University of Tennessee *

Karli Spaid, Miami University

Alana Vawter, Stanford University *

Grace Vesco, Saint Francis University (Pa.) *

*Denotes second year