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Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio will close their doors at the end of the spring semester after more than 100 years. The institute cited declining enrollment, rising costs and significant debt to the decision to cease operation.
The institute currently has 24 sports competing at the Division II level. The NDC Softball Squad is currently 4-2 on the season and set to compete in their spring swing to Florida starting Saturday in Clermont.
Collegiate Softball Coaching is an ultra-competitive and sometime win at any cost sport. However when one of that fraternity are in need, a profession and sport wide call is answered.
RTS has learned that University of Texas at El Paso Head Coach TJ Hubbard’s wife, Kara Hubbard, was recently diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma in January. The Stage 4 disease has spread from her colon to her liver, lungs, adrenal gland and lymph nodes.
Coach Hubbard is in his fifth season leading the UTEP program. Kara and TJ Hubbard are the parents of three daughters age 16, 12, and 9. Any assistance for the Hubbard Family during their time of need can be made through a Go Fund Me campaign at Fundraiser for Tony Hubbard by Susan Highfill : Donate to help the Hubbard family (gofundme.com)
RTS heads back to Tampa tomorrow for the in-state doubleheader matchup between South Florida (10-5) and Stetson (6-8). Game 1 between the Bulls and Hatters starts at 3 pm EST at USF Softball Stadium. Game 2 will follow at 5:30 pm EST. Check back here and on all RTS Social Media platforms for live in-game updates.
This week’s Softball America DI Top 25. The Red River Rivalry owns the top.
| Rank | School | Record | Last Week’s Record | Last Week’s Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 14-0 | 5-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas | 12-1 | 5-1 | 2 |
| 3 | Georgia | 12-1 | 3-1 | 3 |
| 4 | Duke | 13-1 | 5-0 | 5 |
| 5 | LSU | 13-0 | 5-0 | 6 |
| 6 | Oklahoma State | 13-2 | 7-0 | 11 |
| 7 | Stanford | 10-4 | 5-0 | 10 |
| 8 | Washington | 12-2 | 6-1 | 4 |
| 9 | Clemson | 11-2 | 5-0 | 9 |
| 10 | Alabama | 16-0 | 6-0 | 12 |
| 11 | Tennessee | 8-4 | 4-2 | 7 |
| 12 | Baylor | 8-3 | 5-0 | 22 |
| 13 | Missouri | 13-2 | 3-2 | 8 |
| 14 | Virginia Tech | 12-3 | 5-1 | 23 |
| 15 | Arizona | 16-1 | 6-0 | 17 |
| 16 | Florida | 15-2 | 7-1 | 15 |
| 17 | Florida State | 11-3 | 6-0 | 16 |
| 18 | Arkansas | 13-3 | 5-1 | 14 |
| 19 | Texas A&M | 14-1 | 5-1 | 13 |
| 20 | Kentucky | 11-2 | 5-0 | 19 |
| 21 | Mississippi State | 11-3 | 3-2 | 18 |
| 22 | Cal | 15-1 | 5-0 | 21 |
| 23 | UCLA | 7-5 | 4-1 | NR |
| 24 | South Carolina | 13-2 | 5-1 | 20 |
| 25 | Boston | 13-1 | 3-1 | NR |
Dropped out of rankings: Auburn, Penn State
Received votes: Wichita State, McNeese
After finishing 6-44 in 2023, Tennessee Tech has started the 2024 season 6-2 matching their win total from last year in just week 3 of this season. The Golden Eagles, a previous Super Regional program that had fallen on hard times under previous regimes, have started fast under second year head coach Danielle Penner and her staff. TTU returned 14 players from last year’s squad while bringing in 8 freshmen and transfers.
RTS will be in the Sunshine State tomorrow for the start of the South Florida Showdown. Host USF welcomes nationally ranked Oklahoma State and Washington to Tampa Bay. Action starts at 1:30 pm EST as No. 11 Oklahoma State and No. 4 Washington face-off. South Florida then plays the Cowgirls at 4 pm EST. The nightcap will have the Bulls facing the Huskies at 6:30 pm EST. Check back here and on all RTS Social Media platforms for live in-game updates from Tampa.
The University of Michigan has received a $10.8 million bequest from the estate of Robert H. Kaiser to endow scholarships for Wolverine Athletes. One of those endowments will include the softball program. A native of Adrian, Michigan, Roby is a 1972 graduate of Michigan’s College of Pharmacy. He also funded a scholarship endowment for softball back in 2016.
The Softball America DI Top 25 is out. Oklahoma and Texas keep hold of the top spots while an on-fire Georgia team comes in at three.
| Rank | School | Record | Last Week’s Record | Last Week’s Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 9-0 | 5-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas | 7-0 | 2-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Georgia | 9-0 | 4-0 | 4 |
| 4 | Washington | 6-1 | 3-0 | 8 |
| 5 | Duke | 8-1 | 4-0 | 5 |
| 6 | LSU | 8-0 | 3-0 | 11 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 4-2 | 1-2 | 3 |
| 8 | Missouri | 10-0 | 5-0 | 13 |
| 9 | Clemson | 6-2 | 2-1 | 6 |
| 10 | Stanford | 5-4 | 2-2 | 9 |
| 11 | Oklahoma State | 6-2 | 1-2 | 10 |
| 12 | Alabama | 10-0 | 5-0 | 15 |
| 13 | Texas A&M | 9-0 | 5-0 | 19 |
| 14 | Arkansas | 8-2 | 4-1 | 12 |
| 15 | Florida | 8-1 | 4-0 | 22 |
| 16 | Florida State | 5-3 | 1-2 | 7 |
| 17 | Arizona | 10-1 | 5-1 | NR |
| 18 | Mississippi State | 8-1 | 4-1 | NR |
| 19 | Kentucky | 6-2 | 2-1 | 18 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 8-1 | 3-1 | 21 |
| 21 | Cal | 10-1 | 5-0 | NR |
| 22 | Baylor | 3-3 | 3-1 | 16 |
| 23 | VIrginia Tech | 7-2-1 | 3-2 | 17 |
| 24 | Auburn | 4-1-1 | 3-0 | 25 |
| 25 | Penn State | 7-0 | 2-0 | NR |
Dropped out of rankings: Utah, Oregon, Louisiana, Indiana
Received votes: Boston
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.
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.