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.
RTS Headed Back To Blacksburg For Super Regionals
RTS will be returning to Blacksburg, VA for the NCAA Super Regional Round. No. 3 ranked and overall national seed Virginia Tech will welcome No. 12 ranked and 14 overall national seed Florida to Tech Softball Park. Coverage will start Thursday at each team’s pre-regional practice and press conference. Game 1 of the Super Regional between the Hokies and Gators will be Friday starting at 2 pm. Check-in on all RTS Social Media platforms for real-time updates from throughout the weekend from the Blacksburg Super Regional.
DIII All-American Teams Announced
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has announced their Division III All-American teams for 2022. 54 student-athletes from 36 different programs were selected to the first, second, and third teams. Eastern Connecticut State led the selections with four players. A complete list of the 2022 DIII All-Americans can be found at https://nfca.org/category/ncaa-iii?awarddivision=ncaa-iii…
Norton Moves On From UNCW
Just days after leading her squad to the NCAA Postseason at the Clemson Regional, head coach Kristy Norton has stepped down at UNC-Wilmington to “pursue other interests”. Norton spent 10 seasons leading the Seahawks compiling a 217-250-1 record. During that time she led her team to one CAA Tournament Championship and one NCAA postseason that came in 2022. It remains to be seen if those “other interests” could lie inside coaching at one of the other current open positions, or out of it.
Averett Names Oberhelman Head Coach
Averett has named Carol Oberhelman their new head coach. Oberhelman takes leadership of the Cougars after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Muskingum. She helped the program to a 60-26 overall record during her time on staff.
College Of San Mateo Named Cal JC Coaching Staff Of The Year
College of San Mateo has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Cal JC National Coaching Staff of the Year. The Bulldogs recently won the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) championship with an 8-1 victory over Sierra College. San Mateo finished the 2022 season 44-4 under head coach Nicole Quigley-Borg. She is assisted by Dale Bassmann, Toby Garza, Matt Lawrence, Lauren Quirke, Allie Stines and Randy Villazon.