Rounding Third Softball

James Madison associate head coach Jennifer Herzig has been named Division I Assistant Coach of the Year. The award, given annually by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), goes to the top coaching staff assistant in all of DI. Herzig has been integral to the Dukes success since joining the staff in 2012. Her work paid off huge in 2021 as JMU made one of the greatest runs in NCAA history. The Dukes would finish 41-4 making the program’s first appearance at the Women’s College World Series, while upsetting No. 1 ranked and eventual National Champion Oklahoma in their first game.

Biola has named alumna Kristin Halte their new head coach. Halte takes over for former coach Nikki Udria who departed BU to join the coaching staff at Oregon. She has served as pitching coach for Biola in parts of nine seasons under former coaches Lorie Coleman and Udria. Halte also served a stint as the head coach at Valencia High School in Placentia, California. She now guides an Eagle program that finished as national runner-up in Division II in 2021.

The Southeastern Conference released its 2022 softball schedule today. Conference play will begin on March 11 and run through May 8. The schedule includes eight three-game series for each team totaling 24 conference games. The SEC Tournament is scheduled for May 10-14 at the Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL. The full SEC schedule can be found at https://www.secsports.com/…/2022-sec-softball-schedule…#Rounding3rdSB

RTS is deeply saddened to share the passing of Sophia Duong with the softball community. Sophia passed Tuesday surrounded by her loved ones at the all too young age of 16 years old. The standout softball player from Southern California had been diagnosed with terminal spinal cancer over a year ago. In the true spirit and grit of the athlete she is, Sophia put up a fight just as she always did in the pitching circle throughout her battle. A GoFundMe was established to help the family with the immense medical expenses that have been incurred through her fight. That account is still active and donations and support can be made at the link below. https://www.gofundme.com/…/help-support-sophia039s-road…

Pacific University in Oregon has named Katie Duroe their new head coach. Duroe comes to Pacific after serving as head coach the last three seasons at Bushnell University. She led the Beacons to a 28-80 record, including going 17-43 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.

Peter Suarez has joined the staff at Texas A&M as director of player and program development. Suarez comes to the Aggies after spending the past five years at Iowa State as the director of softball operations. At ISU he assisted with team video, scouting reports, team travel and recruiting arrangements.

Grand Valley State has announced that Ryan Schalk has rejoined their coaching staff. Schalk was an assistant with the Lakers in 2017 before departing for the head coaching position at Alverno College. The past three seasons he was the top assistant at Toledo. He helped guide the Rockets to the first MAC Tournament Championship in school history.

Marty Kinard has been named the new head coach at Coker University. Kinard joins the Cobras after coming from nearby Claflin University where he led the program since 2017. He tallied a 114-79 record in his five seasons as the Panthers head coach. In 2021, Kinard led CU to an NCAA DII Atlantic Regional appearance.

Amanda Daneker has been promoted to assistant coach at Coastal Carolina RTS has learned. Daneker, a Chanticleer alum, had served in the volunteer assistant role since 2018. She replaces Kristin Erb who departed the program and has since joined the coaching staff at Marist College.

Holy Cross has named Kimberly Stiles their new head coach. Stiles spent the last five years as the head coach at DII University of Charleston. Before landing at UC, she was head coach at Davis & Elkins College. She owns a career coaching record of 275-232.