Category: Softball

LSU softball puts 11 on SEC Academic Honor Roll

LSU players loaded the Academic Honor Roll, which was announced on Thursday.

Editor’s Note: The following is an official press release courtesy of LSU’s athletics department.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – LSU softball is represented by 11 student-athletes on the 2023 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll announced Thursday by the Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey.

Selections from LSU softball include Ciara Briggs, Emilee Casanova, Raelin Chaffin, Georgia Clark, Madilyn Giglio, Raeleen Gutierrez, Ali Kilponen, Ali Newland, Sydney Peterson, Taylor Pleasants and Savannah Stewart.

A total of 1,454 student-athletes across the league were honored, representing the sports of baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track & field. The award is based on grades from the 2022 Summer, 2022 Fall and 2023 Spring terms.

Any student-athlete who participates in a Southeastern Conference championship sport or a student-athlete who participates in a sport listed on his/her institution’s NCAA Sports Sponsorship Form is eligible for nomination to the Academic Honor Roll. The following criteria will be followed: (1) A student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.00 or above for either the preceding academic year (two semesters or three quarters) or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above at the nominating institution. (2) If a student-athlete attends summer school, his/her grade point average during the summer academic term must be included in the calculation used to determine eligibility for the Academic Honor Roll. (3) Student-athletes eligible for the Honor Roll include those receiving an athletics scholarship, recipients of an athletics award (i.e., letter winner), and non-scholarship student-athletes who have been on a varsity team for two seasons. (4) Prior to being nominated, a student-athlete must have successfully completed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of non-remedial academic credit toward a baccalaureate degree at the nominating institution. (5) The student-athlete must have been a member of a varsity team for the sport’s entire NCAA Championship segment.

Oklahoma’s Kinzie Hansen named Johnny Bench Award Winner

As the top catcher in college softball, Oklahoma’s Kinzie Hansen was named the Johnny Bench Award winner.

The Oklahoma Sooners had several impressive performances this season. One of their most important players was Kinzie Hansen. After dealing with injuries in 2022 and being limited out of the gate in 2023, Hansen returned to go on a tear for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Hansen hit .409 with a .431 on-base percentage, .752 slugging percentage, 55 hits, 13 home runs and 57 RBIs. She was a key cog in the Sooners’ offensive machine this year. Her decision to return to the Oklahoma Sooners in 2024 is huge for the team. She’s one of their three best players.

For her stellar season, Hansen was honored with the Johnny Bench Award as the top catcher in college softball.

 

 

Hansen is a great all-around player, from her standout offensive stats to her stellar defense behind the plate. She was a first-team All-American and made the NCAA All-Tournament team.

Hansen was clutch throughout the NCAA Tournament. Her three-run home run in the seventh inning against Clemson will go down as one of the most magical moments in Sooners’ softball history. In the postseason, she hit .467 with three home runs and 13 RBIs. She had multiple RBIs in five of the Sooners’ 10 games in the NCAA Tournament.

With Grace Lyons’ departure, Hansen would make a logical choice to be the next captain of the Oklahoma Sooners. Even if just for one season, her experience and her leadership make her a natural fit to take on the mantle in Lyons’ stead.

Here’s a look at some of the best photos of Kinzie Hansen’s first four seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Jessie Blaine set to transfer to fellow SEC program

Four members of the 2023 roster have found new homes, with three remaining in the SEC.

So far, four members of Auburn softball’s 2023 roster have found new homes out of the transfer portal. Three of them have announced that they will stay within the SEC.

First baseman [autotag]Bri Ellis[/autotag] kicked off the trend by committing to Arkansas on June 18, and third baseman [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag] announced that she would be transferring to South Carolina earlier this week. Now, former Auburn utility player [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag] will make the move to a fellow SEC program, Mississippi State.

Blaine appeared in 110 games in two seasons at Auburn, making 86 starts. During her time at Auburn, Blaine saw time at catcher, designated player, first base, and right field. During her final season at Auburn, she started 27 games as the Tigers’ designated player and made four starts at catcher.

At the plate, she hit for a .263 average in two seasons with 64 hits, 11 home runs, and 55 RBI. She walked 42 times and struck out 33 times. She hit .285 with 39 hits, 9 home runs, and 37 RBI as a freshman in 2022.

Outside of the three SEC transfers, [autotag]Lindsey Garcia[/autotag] will make the move to Clemson for her final season of eligibility. Two players from Auburn remain in the transfer portal according to D1Softball, [autotag]Maia Engelkes[/autotag] and [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag].

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

Florida finishes fifth in 2022-23 Learfield Directors’ Cup

Two national championships over the last calendar year led Florida to a fifth place finish in the 2022-23 Learfield Directors’ Cup.

The Florida Gators finished in fifth place for the 2022-23 Learfield Directors’ Cup, according to a press release published on Wednesday by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

Florida finished behind Stanford, Texas, Ohio State and Virginia, in that order. The Gators’ national championships in men’s golf and men’s outdoor track and field. Florida’s recent runner-up finish at the Men’s College World Series also added to a total of 1,091.5 points. Virginia finished with just 14 more points than UF, while Stanford’s 1,412-point showing paced the all athletic programs.

The Southeastern Conference features the most programs in this year’s top 25. Florida leads all schools at No. 5 but is followed closely by No. 6 Tennessee, No. 7 Georgia, No. 9 LSU, No. 12 Alabama, No. 13 Arkansas, No. 18 Kentucky and No. 24 Texas A&M.

Nineteen sports are counted in the final D1 standings, with women’s volleyball and basketball and men’s basketball baseball serving as four constants. The remaining fifteen sports are the highest score for each institution, regardless of gender.

“The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in NCAA Championships.”

This is Florida’s 14th season in a row finishing in the top five. Despite several second-place finishes, the Gators have never ended the season at No 1 overall.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Alabama Softball HC, Patrick Murphy, receives a two-year extension

Alabama Softball extends Patrick Murphy through 2028

In a move that shouldn’t come as a surprise, the Alabama Athletic Department has decided to extend Softball coach, Patrick Murphy, for another two years. Murphy was originally under contract through 2026, but the extension will now keep him in Tuscaloosa through 2028. His extension will also increase his base salary from $515,000 to $530,000 annually.

Murphy took over the Crimson Tide softball program at only 33 years old back in 1999 and has called the shots ever since. Under his supervision, he has taken the program to fourteen Women’s College World Series appearances and delivered the Tide their only National Title back in 2012. He has won the SEC regular season six times, the SEC tournament five times and has been named the SEC coach of the year five times as well. Murphy’s all-time record now improves to 1219-344 (.780) with the Tide.

Murphy will have his work cut out for him in 2024 as Montana Fouts, arguably the best player in program history departs. The Tide made it back to the WCWS in 2023 but was unfortunately eliminated by Stanford for a second consecutive season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Denver Bryant to join another SEC program

She is the second Auburn transfer to commit to an SEC rival.

Former Auburn third baseman [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag] has announced that she will be transferring to South Carolina. She broke the news Monday on Twitter.

Bryant will join the Gamecocks with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Throughout her three seasons on the Plains, Bryant recorded a batting average of .312, 68 hits, 12 home runs, a slugging percentage of .550 and an on-base percentage of .373.

In the field, Bryant produced a .877 fielding percentage while only committing 19 errors to go with 69 putouts and 66 assists.

The Albany, Georgia native was a crucial part of Auburn’s success during her time with the program and South Carolina will notice her impact on the field immediately. With Auburn hosting the 2024 SEC Softball Tournament, Bryant will be making an appearance in Auburn then if not during the regular season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=692566218]

LSU softball lands transfer Kelley Lynch

The utility pitcher spent the past four years at Washington.

Editor’s Note: The following is an official press release courtesy of LSU’s athletics department.

BATON ROUGE, La. – Kelley Lynch, a 2023 NFCA Pacific All-Region selection for Washington, is joining the LSU softball team, head coach Beth Torina announced.

Lynch, a Newnan, Ga. native, is a utility pitcher who capped her four-year career with the Huskies with a 25-14 record in the circle behind 308 strikeouts and has held opposing batters to a .199 clip over 241.0 innings pitched. At the plate, Lynch has totaled 117 hits, including 20 home runs, 96 RBIs and has scored 70 runs. 

Lynch aided Washington to its 15th Women’s College World Series appearance in 2023 and earned a spot on the NFCA Pacific All-Region team after registering a 9-3 record with a 2.43 ERA, 101 strikeouts and a staff-low .178 opposing batting average in 77.2 innings pitched. Lynch also contributed inside the batter’s box with a .276 batting average with 29 hits, 20 RBIs and three home runs. 

Lynch will be a fifth-year senior in 2024. She graduated in spring 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and minored in real estate and business. Lynch will pursue a master’s degree in sports management at LSU. 

LSU is coming off its 17th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers will return six 2023 All-SEC selections, including two-time Gold Glove Award Winner Ciara Briggs and NFCA All-American pitcher Sydney Berzon. 

Directly support LSU Softball by joining the Diamondbackers today!

For the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.lsusports.net/softball. Fans can follow the team on its social media outlets at www.facebook.com/lsusoftball and @lsusoftball on Instagram and Twitter.

The Aggies add veteran coach Eric Leyba to the softball staff

Aggie Softball is not only bringing in solid transfers but also showing they are in the coaching market by adding Eric Leyba to the staff.

Not only are players on the move this summer during the portal season, but coaches are also looking for new opportunities or challenges across the NCAA map. Coach Ford hasn’t just hit the transfer portal for the talent; she made an impressive hire adding Eric Leyba as an assistant coach.

Coach Leyba will arrive at Texas A&M after spending the last five seasons as the infield and hitting coach for the Oregon State Beavers. While there, he helped coach Freshman infielders Frankie Hammoude and Maia Rader take home Pac-12 All-Freshman honors at their respective positions.

Below is what Coach Ford envisions that Leyba will bring to the team

“We are excited to add Eric [Leyba] to our staff as he brings a wealth of knowledge, experience but more importantly the ability to connect with our players,” Ford said. “Coach Leyba has been around the game of fastpitch softball most of his life as both a player and coach. His ability to recruit nationwide, identify talent and elevate their level of play once they get to campus is something that I am looking forward to.”

Trisha Ford is making a push this offseason to ensure her young talented team can have all the right pieces in place to have a more successful run in year two. Let’s all welcome Coach Eric Leyba to the Aggie family.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=7]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd4pnb49trk727 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

Oklahoma’s Jocelyn Erickson enters the transfer portal

Oklahoma Softball’s Jocelyn Erickson enters the transfer portal per report.

Since the end of the 2023 season, the Oklahoma Sooners have had several departures via graduation and the transfer portal. None were bigger than Jordy Bahl’s relocation back to her home state of Nebraska. Another significant transfer portal entry occurred Monday: [autotag]Jocelyn Erickson[/autotag].

According to D1Softball’s Brady Vernon, Erickson is in the portal after spending one year with the Sooners.

As a true freshman, Erickson saw a great deal of playing time early in the season for the Oklahoma Sooners, especially while [autotag]Kinzie Hansen[/autotag] and [autotag]Grace Lyons[/autotag] were sidelined.

In her lone season, Erickson appeared in 57 games and registered 32 starts. She hit .337 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs. Erickson was hitting .371 entering the NCAA Tournament but went 2-for-11 in the postseason.

With the losses Oklahoma had suffered this offseason, there was a chance Erickson would have seen some time in the designated player role while continuing to back up Kinzie Hansen at catcher.

Instead, Erickson follows Bahl and [autotag]Sophia Nugent[/autotag] into the portal. Bahl landed with the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Nugent with the Tennessee Volunteers.

Erickson was the No. 10 player in the nation according to Extra Inning Softball and the No. 7 player in the 2022 class according to Max Preps. She was a first-team All-American and the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=683578888]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Auburn adds Maryland slugger from transfer portal

Amelia Lech ended the 2023 campaign with 16 home runs, which was the second-most in the Big Ten.

Auburn softball has found replacements for the two power hitters that it lost to the transfer portal.

After adding former DePaul star Anna Wohlers on Wednesday, former Maryland catcher [autotag]Amelia Lech[/autotag] announced that she would also transfer to Auburn. She announced her commitment to Auburn via Twitter with the caption “I’m all in. War Eagle” followed by two photos of her wearing her new team’s threads.

Auburn adds star power to its roster in the form of Lech, as she finished the 2023 season with 16 home runs, which is tied for second-most in the Big Ten with Nebraska‘s Billie Andrews. She was also top-10 in RBI with 47.

Lech had a breakout season in 2023 for the Terrapins. After playing in just 29 games during the 2022 season, Lech appeared in 57 games in 2023, making 53 starts. She recorded 41 hits, 11 doubles, 16 home runs, and drove in 47 runs while slugging .694. She hit for an average of .285 and struck out just 48 times in 144 at-bats.

Six members of Auburn’s 2023 roster entered the transfer portal, with Bri Ellis and Lindsey Garcia finding new homes. [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag], [autotag]Carlee McCondichie[/autotag], [autotag]Jessie Blaine[/autotag], and [autotag]Maia Engelkes[/autotag] remain in the transfer portal as of the timing of this post.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__