Meaggan Pettipiece has resigned as head coach at Valparaiso. She was in her second season leading the program having gone 8-41 in 2023. This season the Beacons are 7-20 and 1-5 in conference play. This is the second program Pettipiece has resigned from mid-season having left as head coach at Akron in 2022.
Sooners and Blue Devils Atop Poll
Oklahoma and Duke atop this week’s Softball America DI Top 25.
| 1 | Oklahoma | 34-1 | 3-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Duke | 29-3 | 3-0 | 4 |
| 3 | Georgia | 29-5 | 2-1 | 3 |
| 4 | Oklahoma State | 29-6 | 3-1 | 7 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 28-5 | 3-1 | 6 |
| 6 | Texas | 29-5 | 1-2 | 2 |
| 7 | Stanford | 27-6 | 2-1 | 5 |
| 8 | LSU | 29-4 | 4-0 | 13 |
| 9 | Washington | 25-5 | 3-0 | 8 |
| 10 | Florida | 31-5 | 2-1 | 9 |
| 11 | Missouri | 29-7 | 4-0 | 12 |
| 12 | UCLA | 20-8 | 2-0 | 16 |
| 13 | Virginia Tech | 25-8-1 | 0-3 | 10 |
| 14 | Texas A&M | 28-7 | 0-3 | 11 |
| 15 | Mississippi State | 25-9 | 1-2 | 15 |
| 16 | Alabama | 26-8 | 1-2 | 14 |
| 17 | Arkansas | 25-9 | 1-1 | 19 |
| 18 | Texas State | 29-8 | 3-1 | 17 |
| 19 | Louisiana | 24-13 | 3-0 | 23 |
| 20 | Clemson | 24-10 | 2-1 | 21 |
| 21 | Florida State | 24-9 | 3-0 | NR |
| 22 | Penn State | 26-7 | 3-1 | 22 |
| 23 | California | 26-10 | 2-2 | 19 |
| 24 | Northwestern | 19-8 | 3-1 | 24 |
| 25 | South Carolina | 26-10 | 4-1 | NR |
Dropped out of Rankings: Kansas, FAU
Received Votes: Arizona, Boston, Kansas, FAU, Virginia
Dropped out of Rankings: Kansas, FAU
Received Votes: Arizona, Boston, Kansas, FAU, Virginia
Van Brunt Joins British National Program
Dallas Christian College Assistant Coach Monti Van Brunt has been named Scouting Director for the British Softball Federation. Van Brunt has extensive international experience having worked in coaching roles in China, the Netherlands, Germany, and Czechia. He also spent time with the Tex Town Tigers Club in the Netherlands and Legnano Club in Italy, winning the European Cup in 2011. The British National Team is preparing for a possible bid to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Dean Stepping Down At Auburn
Mickey Dean will step down as head coach at Auburn at the end of season the university announced Tuesday. Dean is in his seventh season leading the Tigers and the program is currently 15-9-1 and 2-7 in the SEC. During his time on the plains Dean led Auburn to five NCAA Regional appearances and three 40-win seasons. Auburn’s second winningest coach in program history will continue as a special assistant to the athletic director through the remainder of his contract.
Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Duke, Stanford atop this week’s Softball America DI Top 25.
| Rank | School | Record | Last Week’s Record | Last Week’s Ranking |
|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 31-1 | 4-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas | 28-3 | 4-0 | 4 |
| 3 | Georgia | 27-4 | 4-0 | 5 |
| 4 | Duke | 26-3 | 4-1 | 2 |
| 5 | Stanford | 25-5 | 3-0 | 6 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 25-4 | 3-0 | 8 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | 26-5 | 2-2 | 7 |
| 8 | Washington | 22-5 | 2-1 | 9 |
| 9 | Florida | 29-4 | 4-0 | 11 |
| 10 | Virginia Tech | 25-5-1 | 4-1 | 10 |
| 11 | Texas A&M | 28-4 | 3-1 | 12 |
| 12 | Missouri | 25-7 | 3-1 | 16 |
| 13 | LSU | 25-4 | 1-3 | 2 |
| 14 | Alabama | 25-6 | 3-1 | 15 |
| 15 | Mississippi State | 24-7 | 3-1 | 18 |
| 16 | UCLA | 18-8 | 1-2 | 14 |
| 17 | Texas State | 26-7 | 4-0 | 19 |
| 18 | Kansas | 22-8-1 | 3-1 | 20 |
| 19 | California | 24-8 | 3-1 | 21 |
| 20 | Arkansas | 24-8 | 2-2 | 17 |
| 21 | Clemson | 22-9 | 1-3 | 13 |
| 22 | Penn State | 23-6 | 3-0 | NR |
| 23 | Louisiana | 21-13 | 3-1 | 23 |
| 24 | Northwestern | 16-7 | 5-0 | NR |
| 25 | FAU | 27-7 | 4-0 | NR |
Dropped out of Rankings: Baylor, Arizona, South Carolina
Received Votes: South Carolina, Arizona, Florida State
Dobbins Calling It A Career
Sources have confirmed to RTS that longtime William Peace University Head Coach Charlie Dobbins will retire at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Dobbins is in his 25th season leading WPU and has amassed 515 wins during his tenure. He has served on numerous national softball committees shaping the sport, including the NCAA Division III National Softball Committee.
Dobbins could be best known as a top player nationally touring with the World famous King and His Court. He helped retire the “Court” in 2011, ending a 65-year run of touring that covered over 4 million miles, 14,000 games, and over 100 countries. Working behind the plate for the King and His Court, he caught the last pitch in the last game ever played by the group.
Oklahoma, LSU, Duke, Texas, Georgia at the top of this week’s Softball America DI Top 25.
| Rank | School | Record | Last Week’s Record | Last Week’s Ranking |
|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 27-1 | 5-0 | 1 |
| 2 | LSU | 24-1 | 2-1 | 2 |
| 3 | Duke | 22-2 | 3-1 | 3 |
| 4 | Texas | 24-3 | 3-1 | 4 |
| 5 | Georgia | 23-4 | 3-1 | 6 |
| 6 | Stanford | 22-5 | 4-1 | 5 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | 24-3 | 4-0 | 7 |
| 8 | Tennessee | 22-4 | 4-0 | 9 |
| 9 | Washington | 20-4 | 2-1 | 8 |
| 10 | Virgina Tech | 21-4-1 | 3-1 | 10 |
| 11 | Florida | 25-4 | 4-1 | 12 |
| 12 | Texas A&M | 25-3 | 2-1 | 13 |
| 13 | Clemson | 21-6 | 4-0 | 16 |
| 14 | UCLA | 17-6 | 3-0 | 15 |
| 15 | Alabama | 22-5 | 3-2 | 17 |
| 16 | Missouri | 22-6 | 2-3 | 11 |
| 17 | Arkansas | 22-6 | 2-1 | 20 |
| 18 | Mississippi State | 21-6 | 2-2 | 18 |
| 19 | Texas State | 22-7 | 2-1 | 24 |
| 20 | Kansas | 19-7-1 | 5-0 | NR |
| 21 | California | 21-7 | 0-3 | 19 |
| 22 | Baylor | 16-8 | 2-3 | 14 |
| 23 | Louisiana | 18-12 | 4-0 | NR |
| 24 | Arizona | 20-7-1 | 1-2 | 21 |
| 25 | South Carolina | 21-7 | 3-2 | 22 |
Dropped out of Rankings: Boston, Georgia Tech
Received Votes: Boston, Florida State
Kortmann Gets 800th Win
Long Island University Coach Roy Kortmann picked up his 800th career coaching victory on Saturday with a 4-0 shutout of Stonehill. Kortmann has coached at LIU for 31 years winning 12 Northeast Conference Championships and making 11 NCAA Postseason appearances.
Montvidas To Lead Honeybees
Veteran international coach Craig Montvidas has been named to lead the Minot Honeybees of the new Northwoods Collegiate League. Montvidas most notable coaching stops include leading the Netherlands National Team. He also coached on the professional level with the Pennsylvania Rebellion. Stops with the Greek and British softball national teams also highlight his career.
Gasso To Receive Statue At Love’s Field
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents approved a vote today to erect a statue of Coach Patty Gasso outside the Sooners’ brand new Love’s Field. Nationally known sculptor Brian Hanlon of Toms River, NJ received the contract. Hanlon is the same sculptor who created like type sculptures of legendary OU Athletes Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
Gasso is in her 29th season leading the Sooners. She has won seven National Championships in her time in Norman.