Rounding Third Softball

RTS has learned that Christine Core has joined the staff at Virginia as Director of Operations. Core spent the last four seasons as head coach at DII Lincoln in Missouri. Prior to her time with the Tigers she led the program at Covenant College.

Sources have confirmed to RTS that Jessica Bracamonte will be named the new head coach at Toledo. Bracamonte served the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Duke. She helped lead the Blue Devils to a 44-11 record in 2022 and a berth in the NCAA Super Regional Round.

Dedeann Pendleton-Helm has been named the new head coach at Northern Colorado. She spent 17 seasons in total as the assistant coach at Colorado State working with the pitching staff. In between tenures with the Rams, Pendleton-Helm worked on the staff at Ole Miss for six seasons. CSU last made the NCAA Postseason in the 2019 campaign when the squad went 39-12.

Jordan Clark has been named the new head coach at Florida Atlantic. Clark spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State. During that time the Buckeyes went 104-63 and advanced twice to the NCAA Postseason. Clark takes over for longtime and legendary Coach Joan Joyce who passed away during the 2022 season.

Texas A&M-Commerce has announced the hiring of Brittany Miller as head coach. Miller joins the Lions after serving the last two seasons as pitching coach at Texas Tech. She will guide TAMUC through their transition into Division I as they join the Southland Conference July 1.

South Dakota State has named Kristina McSweeney their new head coach. McSweeney spent the last 10 seasons leading the program at DII Arkansas Tech. She compiled a record of 356-184. ATU appeared in six of the last seven NCAA Postseasons, advancing to the Super Regional Round in 2016.

RTS has learned that Oklahoma State assistant coach Jeff Cottrill will join the staff at Missouri. Cottrill spent the past seven seasons with the Cowgirls Staff in numerous positions including Director of Operations, pitching coach, then finally working with the OSU hitters. He is expected to work primarily with the Tiger offense at Mizzou. Cottrill helped Oklahoma State to three WCWS appearances during his tenure.

Arizona State has named Megan Bartlett their new head coach. Bartlett spent the past two season on staff at Texas. She helped lead the Longhorns to a National Runner-up finish in 2022 and a 47-22-1 record. She guided Ball State for five seasons before moving to Austin, leading the program to a 141-108 overall record.

Indiana has announced a contract extension for head coach Shonda Stanton through 2027. Stanton just finished her fifth season with the Hoosiers. The 2022 squad went 27-22 and 10-13 in Big Ten play.

California has named Amber Freeman to their coaching staff. She will serve as the Bears pitching coach. Freeman spent the last three seasons leading the program at NAIA Vanguard where she compiled an 82-36 record.