California Baptist Coach Mike Smith picked up his 1,000th Career Coaching Victory today in a 5-2 win over Cal State Bakersfield. Smith is in his second stint with the Lancers after winning a National Championship with the program in 2009 during his first tenure. He has also had coaching stops at UC Riverside, Biola, McNeese State, and Ole Miss while compiling an overall record of 1,000-397.
FAMU To Name Field For Wiggins
Florida A&M will rename their softball field after their longtime former head coach Veronica Wiggins. On March 2 during alumni weekend the playing facility will officially be dedicated as Veronica Wiggins Field. Wiggins coached the Rattlers for 29 seasons amassing 726 wins and winning 13 MEAC Championships.
Kansas City Shooting Hits Home For World Of Softball
As the country mourns what unfolded in Kansas City yesterday, the tragic event hits very close to the World of Softball this morning. The person who lost their life at the shooting during the victory celebration yesterday was Lisa Lopez-Galvan. The beloved local DJ, radio personality, and mother of two is the aunt of William Jewell College Softball Athlete Sophia Lopez. Lopez is a senior on the squad from Lee’s Summit, MO. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Lopez and Galvan Families during this unimaginable time.
Bahl Out For 2024 Season
The most visible and popular collegiate player in 2023 won’t see anymore action in 2024.
Nebraska Pitcher Jordy Bahl will be out the rest of the year after an ACL Injury suffered the first weekend of the season. The star transfer made headlines last year helping lead the Oklahoma Sooners to a third consecutive National Championship. She returned to her home state to join the Cornhuskers last offseason.
The injury took place last weekend in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It’s unclear if field conditions at the third-party event played a part in the injury. Said conditions were described as less than ideal by coaches, athletes, and media outlets at the event.
Owens Lands At UAB
RTS has learned from sources that former Wallace State-Hanceville Head Coach Carson Owens has joined the staff at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Owens departed the position at Wallace State-Hanceville less than two weeks ago right before the season opener. He had won 52 games in his lone season with the Lions in 2023. Owens exact role at UAB has been described as being involved in player development/analytics.
OU Still On Top, UT Moves Up In Latest Poll
This week’s Softball America DI Top 25 is out. The Oklahoma Sooners (4-0) stay atop the poll, while the Texas Longhorns (5-0) shoot up to No. 2 after the complete domination of UCLA (who dropped out of the poll) on their home field in LA last weekend.
| Rank | School | Record | Last Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 4-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas | 5-0 | 7 |
| 3 | Tennessee | 3-0 | 2 |
| 4 | Georgia | 5-0 | 6 |
| 5 | Duke | 3-1 | 9 |
| 6 | Clemson | 4-1 | 5 |
| 7 | Florida State | 4-1 | 3 |
| 8 | Washington | 3-1 | 22 |
| 9 | Stanford | 3-2 | 4 |
| 10 | Oklahoma State | 5-0 | 14 |
| 11 | LSU | 5-0 | 12 |
| 12 | Arkansas | 4-1 | 8 |
| 13 | Missouri | 5-0 | NR |
| 14 | Utah | 4-1 | 13 |
| 15 | Alabama | 5-0 | 21 |
| 16 | Baylor | 0-2 | 11 |
| 17 | Virginia Tech | 4-0-1 | 18 |
| 18 | Kentucky | 4-1 | NR |
| 19 | Texas A&M | 5-0 | 19 |
| 20 | Oregon | 3-2 | 16 |
| 21 | South Carolina | 5-0 | 17 |
| 22 | Florida | 4-1 | 24 |
| 23 | Louisiana | 4-1 | 23 |
| 24 | Indiana | 4-1 | NR |
| 25 | Auburn | 1-1-1 | 20 |
Dropped out of rankings: UCLA, Nebraska, San Diego State
Received votes: UCLA, San Diego State, Penn State
RTS Starts 2024 DI Season In Atlanta
RTS is kicking off the 2024 Division I Season starting Thursday and through the weekend at the Buzz Classic in Atlanta. Host Georgia Tech welcomes No. 21 ranked Alabama, Longwood, and Villanova to Shirley Clements Mewborn Field. Action starts tomorrow at 4 pm EST as Villanova plays the host Yellow Jackets. Alabama and Longwood follow at 6 pm EST. Check back here and on all RTS Social Media platforms for live in-game updates from The ATL.
Dunn Retires At UT Martin
Just days before the opening of the 2024 season, the University of Tennessee Martin has announced that head coach Brian Dunn is retiring. Dunn coached the Skyhawks for four seasons compiling a 96-72 overall record. The odd timing of the move leaves in doubt who will lead the program moving forward as UT Martin indicated an announcement concerning leadership would follow in the coming days.
Wallace State-Hanceville Makes Coaching Change
Wallace State-Hanceville has made a head coaching change ahead of their 2024 season opener. Head Coach Carson Owens will be replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Lauren Stewart. Owens was about to begin his second season with the #3 NJCAA preseason ranked Lions. The program finished 52-7 in his lone season leading the program.
Walker To Lead Hocking Program
RTS has learned that Hocking College will name Rick Walker their new head coach. Walker has spent the last year as an assistant coach and athletic administrator at Lyon College. Before landing in Arkansas he spent six years as head coach at Miami University-Hamilton. He will immediately take over a Hawks program that was 28-10 overall and 19-3 in conference play in 2023.