Rounding Third Softball

Manhattan has named Bridget Hurlman their new head coach. Hurlman spent 2016-2021 leading the program at Rhode Island. She previously spent six seasons as an assistant for the Jaspers before departing for URI.

Helen Pena has been named the new head coach at Ball State. Pena spent the 2023 season as pitching coach at Middle Tennessee State. In her lone season on staff, the Blue Raiders won 42 games, the Conference USA Tournament title, and advance to the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final.

Lacy Prejean has been named the new head coach at Northwestern State. Prejean spent the last five seasons on the coaching staff at Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin’ Cajuns won four Sun Belt Conference Championships during that time while advancing to the NCAA Postseason.

Mark Montgomery has resigned as head coach at Maryland citing family reasons. Montgomery spent four seasons leading the Terrapins compiling a 98-78 overall record. The 2023 UM squad had their best season in his tenure going 38-19. Assistant coach Laura Heberling will serve as interim head coach during a national search for a replacement.

Rockhurst University has named Dana Goss their new head coach. Goss joins the the Hawks after serving four successful seasons at Baker University. She led the Wildcats to a 102-52 record during that time, being awarded Region V Coach of the Year honors after the squads 47 wins and berth in the 2023 NAIA World Series. The Rockhurst alum, Goss was a former assistant coach for the late head coach Galen Struve.

Odessa College has named Doug Eastman their new head coach. Eastman last led the program at Texas A&M-Kingsville from 2022-23. The veteran coach has had huge success on the JUCO level leading programs at both Yavapai College and College of the Siskiyous where he coached more than 30 All-Americans and four National Players of the Year.

Virginia Tech has named Huemul Mata to their coaching staff. Mata joined the Hokies Staff during the 2023 season and now has been elevated to assistant coach. One of the top men’s pitchers in the sport, the Argentina Native led the national team to Gold Medals in both the World Cup Championship and Pan-American Games.

William Jessup University in California is making the move to NCAA Division II starting with the 2024-25 season. WJU currently competes in the Golden State Athletic Conference of the NAIA. They will join the PacWest Conference on their move to DII. The Warriors Softball squad finished with a 24-23 record in 2023.

Northwestern State’s all-time coaching wins leader Donald Pickett has resigned. Pickett spent 15 years leading the Demons amassing 390 victories. NSU made two NCAA Postseason appearances in his regime winning back-to-back Southland Conference Tournament titles in 2013 and 2014, and a regular-season title in 2015.

Chanin Billings has been named to the coaching staff at South Dakota State. Billings spent the past six years as head coach at DIII Hardin-Simmons in Texas. She will work primarily with the Jackrabbits Defensive Unit.