Rounding Third Softball

Sources have confirmed to RTS that Tennessee Tech will name Danielle Penner their new head coach. Penner comes to the Golden Eagles after spending the past five seasons on the coaching staff at Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers Associate Head Coach gets her second leadership opportunity after a very successful 12 season run at DII Barry University. She compiled a 404-210 record while in Miami.

Emory & Henry College has announced a GoFundMe to assist with medical expenses for former head coach Tommy Forrester.

Last month Forrester was admitted to Wake Forest Baptist hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina after a mass was detected in his brain. Surgery was conducted on Friday, July 29 and the surgical team removed as much of the tumor as possible.

Forrester led Emory & Henry for nine seasons where the program appeared in the Division III Postseason in 2017, 2019, and 2021. He stepped down after the conclusion of the 2022 season to accept another position at the institute.

Donations for Coach Forrester can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/5vnsq-coach-tommy-forrester…

Saginaw Valley State has named Ryan Schalk their new head coach. Schalk comes to the Cardinals after serving a second stint as assistant coach at conference rival Grand Valley State. He gives stability to a program that went through some trials and tribulations in 2022 of an in-season coaching change, but still managed to win the GLIAC Tournament Championship and appear in the NCAA Regionals. Schalk has also had coaching stops at Toledo, Alverno, and Muskegon Community College.

RTS is saddened to report the passing of Hall of Fame Coach Margie Knight on Sunday July 31. Knight was a coach for 41 years including 24 of those at Salisbury University. She retired in 2020 as one of the winningest coaches in Division III with 829 victories, 18 conference championships, and nine world series appearances.

Jenna Hall has been named the new head coach at Ohio. Hall rejoins the Bobcats after serving on staff previously for four seasons under former head coach Jodi Hermanek. She spent the last three seasons working for Hermanek directing the offense at Pittsburgh.

Notre Dame has announced that associate coach Kris Ganeff has been promoted to Associate Head Coach. Ganeff has been with the Fighting Irish for 21 seasons. During that time Notre Dame has advanced to the NCAA Postseason in every season she has coached the squad, while also winning four conference tournament championships and seven conference regular season titles.

Wallace State Community College has promoted assistant Carson Owens to head coach. He replaces A.J. Daugherty who accepted the head coaching position at UAB earlier this month. Owens spent the 2022 season as the pitching and outfield coach for the nationally ranked Lions. The Alabama graduate worked two seasons as a manager with the Crimson Tide in which the squad won the SEC title and advanced to the Women’s College World Series in 2021.

Amanda Bradberry has resigned as head coach at Truman State to pursue an opportunity outside the sport. Bradberry spent three seasons leading the Bulldogs after seven seasons as head coach at Upper Iowa between 2013-2019.

RTS has learned that former Texas A&M Coach Jo Evans has emerged as a top candidate for the open head coaching position at UC Santa Barbara. Evans spent 26 Hall of Fame seasons leading the Aggies. She finished her time in College Station with a 987-503-2 record. The Gauchos finished their 2022 season 15-39. Former head coach Brie Galicinao stepped down in June after 15 seasons and has since joined the coaching staff at Cal Poly.

Former Memphis Head Coach Natalie Poole might not be unemployed long. The former Tigers coach has recently been engaged by both Southern Mississippi and Tennessee Tech for their open head coaching positions. Sources have confirmed she will interview in Cookeville this week for the open position with Tech. She spent 11 seasons with the Memphis Tigers compiling a record of 241-340.