Rounding Third Softball

George Mason seems to have their new head coach, or do they? The Patriots head spot was the very first opening of the off-season when longtime Coach Joe Verbanic stepped down on April 15 after the pandemic shortened season. Since then GMU has not advertised nor seemingly conducted a search for a new head coach. Sources close to the program have said team members have been informed Assistant Coach Justin Walker is taking over as head coach “for right now”. Walker was in his first season as an assistant coach for the Patriots in 2020, which was also his first season coaching softball at any level after spending most of his career in baseball. The same sources say GMU could be taking a “wait and see approach” to what could happen this year with the pandemic before investing in a new head coach.

Bryan Nakasone has announced his retirement as head coach at Hawaii Pacific. Nakasone spent 28 years with the Sharks, 19 of those leading the program. He finished his career with a 561-336-2 record. Co-Head Coach Jarnett Lono will now take over the program.

Paris Junior College has named Shelby Shelton the programs new head coach. Shelton spent the past year as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech after four seasons as the top assistant at Howard College.

Penn State has announced the resignation of Amanda Lehotak as head coach. Lehotak spent seven years leading the Nittany Lions with her most successful season being the 2016 campaign that saw 30 wins and a fourth-place finish in the Big Ten with a 14-8 record.

Missouri has been informed by the NCAA that they will be eligible for the 2021 postseason. The Tigers had been banned from the 2020 postseason due to findings of academic misconduct involving a former tutor. It had been unclear if the pandemic shortened 2020 season would fulfill the NCAA penalty.

RTS is saddened to report the passing of former Emporia State player Jacie Stephens Cochran. Cochran passed away due to complications giving birth Thursday to her first child. Cochran played catcher for ESU from 2013 to 2017 and was a second-team All-MIAA selection as a senior after hitting .333 as the Hornets advanced to the MIAA Tournament Championship game. She is survived by her husband and former Emporia State student assistant football coach Cale Cochran and her newborn son, Jaxon Jay. A GoFundMe account has been set up for those who wish to support the family. https://www.gofundme.com/f/cale-amp-jaxon-jay-cochran

Kent State has promoted assistant Emma Thompson to associate head coach. Thompson has served as pitching coach for the Golden Flashes the last three seasons.

Louisiana College has announced it has officially applied for membership in the NAIA. LC had been a member of NAIA before moving to NCAA Division III. If accepted the move will come in the 2021-22 season. The Wildcat Softball Squad finished the pandemic shortened 2020 season 7-10.

Head Coach Megan Bartlett will be leaving Ball State to join the coaching staff at Texas it’s been announced. Bartlett joins the Longhorns after five seasons with the Cardinals going 141-108 during her tenure in Muncie.

USA Softball National Hall of Fame Member and renowned sports writer Buck Johnson passed away today at the age of 93. Johnson, a driving force for the inclusion of softball in the Olympic Games, served as the chief press officer for the International Softball Federation overseeing media relations for the Atlanta and Sydney Games.