Last night Kianna Jones became the first female head coach in summer collegiate baseball history. Jones, the bench coach for the Coastal Plains League Macon Bacon, served as head coach in a game against the Forest City Owls. Macon’s regular head coach, Kevin Soine, was not able to make the road trip due to a medical issue. The native Canadian is in her first season with the Bacon. Jones also just completed her first season competing for North Carolina Softball, after two seasons with the program at Minnesota. A pitcher and utility, she hit .272 with 37 hits, including seven homers to go with 28 RBIs and 14 runs scored.
Hall Of Fame Coach DeYoung Passes
Hall of Fame Coach Kathy DeYoung has passed away after a battle with cancer. The 68 year old former UC Davis Coach had a long career that spanned four decades across numerous sports. Her run with the Aggie Softball Program between 1979-2004 was one of the most successful posting 777 victories.
OK State Gives Gajewski Contract Extension
A day after punching their ticket to their third straight Women’s College World Series, Oklahoma State has signed head coach Kenny Gajewski to a contract extension. The contract will take him through the 2027 season. Gajewski is in his seventh season coaching the Cowgirls and led the program to their first Big 12 Championship this season.
Depolo Out As Head Coach At Tennessee Tech
Tennessee Tech has announced that Michelle DePolo has been released as head coach. DePolo spent the last three seasons coaching the Golden Eagles compiling a 61-61 record. Before coming to Cookeville she spent nine seasons as head coach at Army.
National Freshman Of The Year Finalists Named
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has announced the three finalists for the 2022 NFCA/Schutt Sports Division I National Freshman of the Year.
The three finalists are:
Jordy Bahl-Oklahoma
Emma Lemley-Virginia Tech
Cydney Sanders-Arizona State
The winner will be announced on the evening of June 1 at the 2022 NCAA Women’s College World Series banquet in Oklahoma City.
Ernest Names New Head Coach At Itawamba
Kelly Beth Ernest has been named the new head coach at Itawamba Community College. Ernest joins the Tribe after serving last season on the coaching staff at Delta State. She had previously been a volunteer assistant coach with ICC.
Longtime Butler CC Coach Chance Departs Program Due To Lack Of Support
Longtime Coach Doug Chance has stepped down at Butler Community College. Chance spent 18 years coaching the Grizzlies bringing them unparalleled success. During his tenure he led the program to 772 wins and won back-to-back NJCAA National Championships in 2016 and 2017. Chance has indicated his departure stems directly from lack of support for the program from the administration at BCC.
Division II All-American Teams Announced
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has announced their Division II All-American teams for 2022. 54 student-athletes from 43 different programs were selected to the first, second, and third teams. Augustana led the way receiving four All-America honors, two on the first team. A complete list of the 2022 DII All-Americans can be found at https://nfca.org/category/ncaa-ii?awarddivision=ncaa-ii…
Higgs Resigns At UNF
Marcie Higgs has resigned as head coach at North Florida. Higgs spent 14 seasons leading the Ospreys. She registered 379 victories during her tenure, with 2022 proving her most successful year going 42-17 and winning the ASUN Regular Season Championship. Associate head coach Jeff Conrad will serve as interim head coach as UNF conducts a national search for their next coach.
Strange Moves Land Butler At Wofford
In one of the strangest and most unconventional launches of a new program ever; Wofford has their new head coach,,, again.
Chelsea Butler has been named the Terriers new head coach. Wofford, a Division I member of the Southern Conference, will field a team for the first time in the 2023 season. Butler joins the Terriers after serving the last three seasons as the pitching coach at Maryland. Before arriving in College Park she also spent time on staffs at Incarnate Word, Presbyterian, and Temple.
Wofford initially named assistant athletic director Mark Line as head coach a year ago. Line recruited all the incoming student-athletes for Wofford’s first team that will report to campus this fall. Then in a very Bill Parcell’s “If they want you to cook the dinner, at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries.” like way, has now named Butler head coach. Oddly enough Line will stay on-staff as an assistant coach.