Tag: SEC Softball

Former Auburn ace earns first coaching job

Maddie Penta is staying in the game after completing a historic playing career at Auburn.

Fresh off an amazing career as a pitcher for Auburn softball, [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] is ready to take the next step in her softball journey.

Friday, James Madison University softball head coach Loren LaPorte announced that Penta has been hired as an assistant coach. LaPorte is excited about the potential that Penta brings to the coaching staff.

“We are thrilled to welcome Maddie Penta as our new pitching coach,” LaPorte said in a press release. “With her impressive track record, Maddie brings a wealth of expertise and a fresh perspective that will be instrumental in developing our pitching staff. Her passion and work ethic aligns perfectly with our vision, and we are confident that her leadership will enhance our capabilities and success.”

Penta is excited for the next stop in her softball career and has high hopes for her first gig.

“I am incredibly excited to join a program with such a great reputation and culture,” Penta said. “I’m looking forward to working with this talented group of athletes and helping the program get back to the Women’s College World Series.”

Penta’s duties as an assistant coach at James Madison are unknown, but it is safe to assume she will work with Dukes pitching in some capacity. James Madison is coming off a 31-22 campaign in 2023 where it missed the postseason after taking an early exit in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

Penta’s Auburn career ended with 941 strikeouts in 706 innings with an ERA of 1.79. She also grabbed plenty of accolades during her four-year campaign on the Plains. Several of those include second-team All-SEC, third-team All-America by NFCA, and the 2023 SEC pitcher of the year.

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Former Auburn softball star Emily Carosone named head coach at Campbell

The former Auburn star has earned her first head coaching job.

Former Auburn star and assistant coach [autotag]Emily Carosone[/autotag] has earned her first head coaching gig.

According to a report by Justin McLeod of D1Softball, Carosone is set to become the new head coach at Campbell University, a member of the Coastal Athletic Association in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Carosone takes over for the departing Trena Prater, who was hired to take on the head coaching role at Memphis earlier this month.

Carosone takes the job just 11 days after accepting the position of associate head coach at Troy. Before her time in Troy, Carosone spent six seasons as an assistant head coach at her alma mater. She played a vital role in the success of the Tigers’ defense, served as first base coach, and was named associate head coach ahead of the 2024 season.

Carosone’s first head coaching job will take place in a favorable environment. Last season, the Camels built a 37-21-1 record and a CAA regular season title after posting a 22-5 showing in conference play.

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Texas A&M softball lands experienced catcher Oliva Johnson out of the portal

Trisha Ford hops in the portal and pulls out an experienced catcher from Washington

After getting Texas A&M ace pitcher Emiley Kenndey some help head softball coach Trisha Ford was able to pull former Washington Huskies catcher, Oliva “Ojo” Johnson, out of the transfer portal. The senior will give Coach Ford some senior leadership behind the plate and more options in the batter’s box.

Ford explains why she was excited to land Johnson for the 2025 softball season.

“Ojo is a great addition to our program, and we are happy to have her return to the Lone Star state. We needed to add an experienced catcher from the portal, Ojo has that experience collegiately and internationally. We are excited about her tools defensively and that she can add power to the lineup.”

Career Stats

  • Batting Average – .257
  • Runs – 48
  • Hits – 76
  • Home runs – 19
  • RBI – 65
  • SLG% – .483
  • OB% – .409

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Former Oklahoma pitcher SJ Geurin commits to Auburn

The first signing of the Malveaux era is a two-time national champion.

[autotag]Chris Malveaux[/autotag] and [autotag]Kate Malveaux[/autotag] were officially introduced as Auburn softball’s co-head coaches this week and quickly got to work by enhancing the program through the transfer portal.

The Tigers need to rebuild its pitching staff after the departures of [autotag]Maddie Penta[/autotag] and [autotag]Shelby Lowe[/autotag] to graduation and [autotag]Annabelle Widra[/autotag] to the transfer portal. They may have found the first piece in [autotag]SJ Geurin[/autotag].

Geurin, a left-handed pitcher from Leander, Texas, announced Saturday that she is transferring from Oklahoma to Auburn before the 2025 season. The two-time national champion comes to Auburn after recording nine strikeouts in nine appearances for the Sooners last season, earning two wins in the circle.

As the No. 7 pitcher from the 2022 recruiting cycle, Geurin received plenty of attention from elite programs such as Oregon and UCLA before signing with Oklahoma. Geurin never found adequate circle time in Norman after playing behind Jordy Bahl in 2023, as well as Kelly Maxwell and Kierston Deal in 2024. Now at Auburn, Geurin has the chance to become the ace of a power program.

Geurin is the first addition to Auburn’s 2025 from the transfer portal. Three Tigers entered the portal following the season: Annabelle Widra, [autotag]Riley McNemar[/autotag], and [autotag]Mariah Penta[/autotag]. Neither player has found a new home as of the timing of this post.

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Auburn hires former Tennessee assistants to lead softball program

Chris and Kate Malveaux take over for Mickey Dean, who announced his retirement in March.

After a long coaching search, Auburn has found its next leader(s).

Auburn athletics director [autotag]John Cohen[/autotag] announced Wednesday that former Tennessee assistants [autotag]Chris Malveaux[/autotag] and [autotag]Kate Malveaux[/autotag] are making a move to Auburn to serve as assistant head coaches, taking over for the outgoing [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag], who announced his retirement in March.

“Chris and I are both honored and humbled to lead this new era of Auburn Softball. Thank you to John Cohen and all of Auburn Athletics for their faith in us to take on this role and support the program in such an impactful way,” Kate Malveaux said in a press release. “Also, thank you to Karen Weekly, the Lady Vol Softball staff, and student-athletes for the opportunity and support of not only us, but also our family. Auburn has proved that it can compete on the national stage, and we are excited to build, develop, and grow this program into a national powerhouse.”

Chris Malveaux served as the Lady Vols’ hitting coach for three seasons. Since 2022, Tennessee’s production at the plate has increased from a .280 team average in 2022 to a .317 team average in 2024. In 2023, Tennessee led the SEC in on-base percentage (.419), runs scored (419), RBI (377), and doubles (84). The top player under Malveaux’s leadership, Kiki Milloy, set a school record with 25 home runs in 2023, which led to All-America honors from the NFCA.

Tennessee finished top-five in eight hitting categories this season, including home runs. The Lady Vols collectively hit 37 home runs this season, which trailed only Georgia (44) for the SEC lead. Tennessee batters were also patient at the plate by forcing 87 walks and striking out just 81 times.

Kate Malveaux worked with base runners during her four seasons in Knoxville, where speed on the basepaths was a strong emphasis. They swiped 38 bases in 2024, third-highest among SEC programs. Tennessee finished top-four in stolen bases since 2021, including an SEC-high 95 stolen bases in 2021.

Together, Tennessee has won two-straight SEC championships.

A spouse duo serving as head coaches in SEC softball is nothing new. Tennessee was led by Ralph and Karen Weekly for 20 years before Ralph’s retirement in 2021. Neither of the Malveaux’s coached at Tennessee under Ralph’s leadership, but his wife Karen remains the Lady Vols’ head coach and has shared her experience of the situation.

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Auburn utility star Annabelle Widra has entered the transfer portal

Auburn softball’s most versatile player has entered the transfer portal after spending two seasons on the Plains.

Auburn softball’s most versatile player from the 2024 roster has entered the transfer portal.

[autotag]Annabelle Widra[/autotag], who pitched and played infield for the Tigers over the last two seasons, has become the first notable post-[autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] era departure as she plans to enter the transfer portal according to Softball America and D1Softball.

Widra joined Auburn’s roster ahead of the 2023 season after spending her freshman season at Michigan. The Hoover native played all over the infield during her two seasons on the Plains. She earned 36 starts at third base, eight starts at second base, one start at shortstop, and two starts as the designated player. In addition to her work in the field, she made 48 appearances in the circle with 16 starts.

Widra developed a strong bond with outgoing head coach Mickey Dean. Near the end of the season, Widra shared her feelings towards her head coach on X (formerly Twitter).

Many people don’t know what it’s like on the inside, but what you need to know is this man changed my life,” Widra said of Dean. “There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am for him! Coach Dean will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is because of him I love softball again.”

Widra’s Auburn career ends as a .256 hitter with five home runs and 11 RBI with five stolen bases. As a pitcher, Widra boasted a 14-8 record with 113 strikeouts to 20 walks with a 2.77 ERA. Widra joins [autotag]Riley McNemar[/autotag] as players from 2024’s roster who have entered the transfer portal.

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Alabama softball survives WCWS elimination, defeats No. 10 Duke

Alabama softball takes down Duke in a Women’s College World Series elimination game.

The No. 14 Alabama Crimson Tide softball team took down the No. 10 Duke Blue Devils in a Women’s College World Series elimination game with a final score of 2-1, thanks to a sixth-inning home run by Marlie Giles.

A low-scoring contest is not unusual for the Crimson Tide, as the team’s bats have been inconsistent throughout the season, but the pitching has kept them in the game.

Patrick Murphy’s squad managed to hold on to the late lead and will now wait for the Texas Longhorns and the Florida Gators to play on Saturday. On Sunday, the Crimson Tide will face the loser.

The next loss will end Alabama’s 2024 season. It’s win or go home from here on out.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama softball as they look to extend their run in the Women’s College World Series.

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Top photos from Alabama softball’s loss to UCLA in the WCWS

Alabama softball’s season is on thin ice after losing to UCLA in the Women’s College World Series. See the top images from the Crimson Tide in Oklahoma City.

Despite significant improvement in the offense, and strong pitching in the 2024 postseason, No. 14 Alabama Crimson Tide softball fell to the No. 6 UCLA Bruins in the opening round of the Women’s College World Series with a final score of 4-1.

This loss does not end the Crimson Tide’s season, but it does mean that they cannot lose another game. One more loss and Alabama gets sent home.

On Friday evening, Alabama will play in the loser’s bracket against the losing team in the Oklahoma Sooner vs. Duke Blue Devils.

In their second game of the WCWS, Patrick Murphy and his team must look to produce more offense. Only scoring one run against UCLA kept the Tide in the game, but it wasn’t enough to stay in the game after the Bruins launched a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Before looking ahead to the Crimson Tide’s next matchup, relive the excitement of playing in Oklahoma City with the Alabama softball photo gallery.

Alabama Crimson Tide softball in the Women’s College World Series

Alabama softball falls to UCLA in opening round of WCWS

Alabama Softball falls to the No. 6 UCLA Bruins in the opening round of the Women’s College World Series.

Alabama Crimson Tide softball entered the Women’s College World Series ranked No. 14 in the nation and faced the No. 6 UCLA Bruins in the opening round in Oklahoma City. A sixth-inning home run broke a 1-1 tie and sent the UCLA into the winner’s bracket.

With the loss, Patrick Murphy and his team moved on to the loser’s bracket and will face the loser of the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners vs. the No. 10 Duke Blue Devils on Friday evening.

Star pitcher Kayla Beaver pitched a strong game, but a three-run home run made the difference late in the game, and left the Crimson Tide with three outs left to try and tie or take the lead.

Offense had been an issue for Alabama in the 2024 season, but they’ve been able to turn it up in the postseason. Unfortunately for the Tide, the bats were relatively quiet, only scoring one run through a full seven innings.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama softball and the Women’s College World Series a the postseason advances.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Top photos from Alabama softball’s upset win over Tennessee in Knoxville Super Regional

Alabama softball’s huge upset win over Tennessee in the Knoxville Super Regional keeps the Tide’s season alive. See the top images from the Super Regional win!

Alabama Crimson Tide softball was down 1-0 on the Knoxville Super Regional series against the Tennessee Lady Vols, but bounced back in Game 2 after a lengthy extra-inning contest and started out strong in Game 3 winner-take-all matchup with a four-run first inning.

Offense had been a concern for Patrick Murphy’s 2024 team, but the bats have come alive in the postseason and the pitching has stood strong against quality teams.

For the 15th time in program history, the Crimson Tide moves on to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Before looking ahead to what”s next for Alabama, relive the excitement of the Game 3 win with this photo gallery.