Rounding Third Softball

University of Texas Arlington has named Kara Dill their new head coach. Dill comes to UTA after serving as an assistant coach at Texas A&M since 2017. She has also had stops on the professional level and on staffs at LSU and Kentucky.

Texas A&M has hired Hunter Veach as the program’s director of player development. Veach joins the Aggies after spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach at UAB. Prior to his stint with the Blazers, Veach worked on the professional softball level with the Cleveland Comets. He also served as the head coach for the Chinese women’s national team until 2021. Veach got his start in coaching at Auburn University Montgomery, where he assisted in winning two NAIA National Championships during his tenure with the program.

Kyleigh Payne has been named the new head coach at King University. Payne earned the promotion with the Tornados after serving last season as an assistant coach. The 2022 KU squad finished 42-17 winning the Conference Carolinas Championship and making the NCAA Postseason. Payne takes the reigns at King after the departure of former coach Jake Cockerham who accepted the head coaching position at Emory & Henry College.

RTS has learned that Kenzie Roark has resigned as head coach at Ohio. Roark spent four seasons leading the Bobcats. She compiled an 89-87 overall record while going 46-39 in MAC play.

Richie Bruister has been named the new head coach at Stephen F. Austin. Bruister joins the Ladyjacks after spending the past seven seasons leading the program at Texas A&M-Commerce where he compiled a 231-116 record. He also had stops at Texas Woman’s University and Henderson State. In 17 seasons as a head coach he has amassed a record of 577-313.

Ursuline College has named Danielle L’Argent their new head coach. L’Argent joins the DII program after spending last season on the coaching staff at Akron. She also is a former assistant coach in the Arrows conference, the G-MAC, having spent three seasons on the staff at Hillsdale College.

RTS has learned that Rebecca Arbino will be promoted to head coach at Rhodes College. The former Texas A&M and San Diego State standout pitcher was hired as an assistant coach in the summer of 2021. She was elevated to interim head coach during the 2022 season. Before arriving at the DIII member she served on staffs as Minnesota-Crookston, UNLV, and San Diego State.

Tragic news out of Missouri as a young athlete fights for her life. Karli Payne an incoming freshman at St. Pius X High School in Crystal City, Missouri and member of the Louisville Sluggers club team was struck by a car on June 30. The pitcher and infielder was crossing a highway after observing a fireworks display. Payne suffered severe brain swelling and shattered compact fractures involving her leg and elbow.

A gofundme has been established to help the Payne Family during their time of need. Fundraiser by Stacy Coleman Clark : Karli Payne – Louisville Sluggers Clark (gofundme.com)

Veteran Coach Annie Smith has been added to the coaching staff at Minnesota. Smith spent the past three seasons building a perennial Top 10 program as part of the coaching staff at Arkansas. The longtime coaching aid has had stops at Auburn, Mississippi State, LSU, and Missouri. She led the program at Georgia Southern between 2012-17.

Texas has hired Kristen Zaleski as an assistant coach. Zaleski spent the 2022 season on the staff at Oklahoma as volunteer assistant coach. She helped guide the Sooners to a 59-3 record and the National Championship. Before going to OU she led programs at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Temple College.