Baker University has removed the interim tag from Tony Austin permanently naming him head coach. Austin had recently taken over for former head coach Sam White. The new leader of the Wildcats joined the program last fall as an assistant coach. He helped guide BU to a 32-12 regular season record this season. Before joining Baker he worked on the coaching staff at Park University.
RTS Heads To The OVC
RTS heads to Cookeville, Tennessee this weekend for the OVC Series between Tennessee Tech (19-21, 9-12) and Southern Illinois Edwardsville (15-30, 7-14). Game 1 of the series is set for Noon CST Saturday, with Game 2 following at 2 pm CST. Game 3 will be at Noon CST Sunday. Check-in here and on all RTS Social Media Platforms for live in-game updates throughout the weekend.
Saint Katherine Ceases Operation
The University of Saint Katherine in San Marcos, California ceased all operations as an institute today. RTS has obtained an email sent to all employees terminating them saying the institute could “no longer meet their financial obligations” and would be filing for bankruptcy.
No warning was given to coaches and athletes within the athletic department before the email was sent out. USK fielded 13 athletic teams and were members of the California Pacific Conference in the NAIA. The Firebirds Softball Squad just completed their season on Sunday with a 9-30 record.
Reinhardt Captures AAC Championship
Reinhardt University has clinched the Appalachian Athletic Conference Regular-Season Championship with a double header sweep of Johnson University. The first place Eagles led the second place Royals by three games with four to play for each squad in conference entering today. No. 22 nationally ranked Reinhardt dominated Johnson on their home turf in Knoxville, winning both games in shutout fashion 5-0 and 7-0 to push their record to 25-1 in AAC play and clinch the championship.
All Big 12 and SEC at the top in this week’s Softball America DI Top 25.
Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State in the Top 5 positions.
| Rank | School | Record | Last Week’s Record | Last Week’s Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 38-6 | 3-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 42-4 | 4-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Tennessee | 34-8 | 2-1 | 4 |
| 4 | Texas A&M | 37-9 | 5-0 | 7 |
| 5 | Oklahoma State | 39-8 | 4-0 | 6 |
| 6 | Duke | 39-6 | 2-2 | 3 |
| 7 | UCLA | 27-9 | 3-0 | 16 |
| 8 | Arkansas | 32-12 | 2-1 | 8 |
| 9 | Stanford | 36-10 | 2-3 | 5 |
| 10 | Georgia | 36-11 | 3-1 | 11 |
| 11 | LSU | 35-10 | 2-2 | 10 |
| 12 | Washington | 30-8 | 2-1 | 14 |
| 13 | Missouri | 35-13 | 2-2 | 9 |
| 14 | Florida | 37-10 | 2-1 | 15 |
| 15 | Virginia Tech | 35-9-1 | 4-0 | 18 |
| 16 | Florida State | 36-10 | 5-0 | 19 |
| 17 | Mississippi State | 30-13 | 1-1 | 13 |
| 18 | Alabama | 31-12 | 1-3 | 12 |
| 19 | Louisiana | 33-15 | 4-1 | 17 |
| 20 | Texas State | 37-12 | 4-0 | 21 |
| 21 | Arizona | 31-13-1 | 3-0 | 22 |
| 22 | Northwestern | 29-9 | 3-1 | 20 |
| 23 | Kentucky | 29-15 | 3-0 | 25 |
| 24 | Boston | 40-4 | 5-0 | NR |
| 25 | Miami | 36-7 | 4-1 | 24 |
Hatterman Notches Win 600
Gordon State College Head Coach Ally Hatterman picked up her 600th career coaching win today in a 7-2 victory over East Georgia State. Hatterman is in her 25th season leading the Highlanders and has guided the program to multiple GCAA regular season and tournament championships, and numerous NJCAA district and region championships. GSC has also made NJCAA Division I National Tournament appearances, most recently in 2023.
Miller Retiring After Three Decades
After 30 seasons leading the program at Seminole State College, Courtney Miller is retiring at the conclusion of this season. The longtime leader of the Raiders arrived in Florida in 1994. Miller led SSC to an FCSAA State Championship in 2012, advancing to the NJCAA World Series. In 2017 the program racked up a school record 53 wins on the way to a conference title. During her tenure Miller coached 53 All-State selections and 14 All-Americans.
RTS Onsite For ACC Weekend
RTS heads to Blacksburg this weekend for the ACC Series between No. 18 ranked Virginia Tech (32-9-1, 14-4) and Georgia Tech (29-17, 11-7). Game 1 of the battle between the Techs is set for 6 pm Friday. Check-in here and on all RTS Social Media Platforms for live in-game updates on the Hokies and Yellow Jackets throughout the weekend.
Texas Takes Over The No. 1 Spot In Top 25
Texas has taken over the top spot in this week’s Softball America DI Top 25.
| 1 | Texas | 35-6 | 4-0 | 3 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 38-4 | 3-1 | 2 |
| 3 | Duke | 37-4 | 3-1 | 1 |
| 4 | Tennessee | 32-7 | 2-1 | 5 |
| 5 | Stanford | 34-7 | 3-1 | 6 |
| 6 | Oklahoma State | 35-8 | 2-2 | 3 |
| 7 | Texas A&M | 32-9 | 1-1 | 10 |
| 8 | Arkansas | 30-11 | 2-1 | 13 |
| 9 | Missouri | 33-11 | 3-1 | 18 |
| 10 | LSU | 33-8 | 2-2 | 7 |
| 11 | Georgia | 33-10 | 2-2 | 9 |
| 12 | Florida | 35-9 | 2-3 | 8 |
| 13 | Alabama | 30-9 | 1-1 | 15 |
| 14 | Washington | 28-7 | 2-0 | 12 |
| 15 | Mississippi State | 29-12 | 1-2 | 11 |
| 16 | UCLA | 24-9 | 2-0 | 14 |
| 17 | Louisiana | 29-14 | 2-1 | 17 |
| 18 | Virginia Tech | 31-9-1 | 3-0 | 16 |
| 19 | Florida State | 31-10 | 3-0 | 20 |
| 20 | Northwestern | 26-8 | 4-0 | 21 |
| 21 | Texas State | 33-12 | 1-3 | 19 |
| 22 | Arizona | 28-13-1 | 4-1 | NR |
| 23 | Penn State | 30-9 | 2-1 | 22 |
| 24 | Miami | 32-6 | 4-0 | NR |
| 25 | Kentucky | 26-15 | 2-1 | NR |
Dropped out of Rankings: Kansas, Virginia, Clemson
Received Votes: Auburn, Boston, UCF
USA Softball Names National Team Rosters
USA Softball has announced the rosters for the National and Elite Teams for events this summer. The Women’s National Team will compete in the WBSC Women’s World Cup in Castions de Strada, Italy July 15-21. The Women’s National Team Elite squad will compete against Team Japan in the Japan All-Star Series, taking place July 4-8.
Each team roster can be found at USA Softball announces Women’s National Team Program rosters for 2024 World Cup and Japan All-Star Series – USA Softball