Credit: LSU Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Sept.1 marked the first official day that NCAA Division I softball coaches could contact current high school juniors , and several players have begun announcing their verbal commitments.  LSU made waves first when infielder Bryli Seifert took to X on Wednesday to announce her pledge to the Tigers’ program. Seifert is ranked No. 32 and a four-star in Softball America’s 2027 class rankings . “I am extremely

Credit: Oklahoma Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Nick Swisher's 2009 World Series win with the New York Yankees, his 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star selection, and his 11 collective years in the big leagues had little impact on his two daughters' decision to play softball.  It was women’s softball and baseball standouts, such as University of Oklahoma alum and current NCAA all-time home run leader Jocelyn Alo, or two-time USA Baseball Sportswoma

Credit: Auburn Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Auburn University and the softball community is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved supporters.  Mike Cooper, better known as “Helmet Guy,” passed away in an accident in Clanton, Alabama, over the weekend, according to WRBL News .  The 1974 industrial design graduate of Auburn became one of the Tigers’ most cherished fans for two decades, beginning with leading chants at baseball games in his p

Credit: OU Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Former Oklahoma and Tennessee utility player Mackenzie Donihoo has been hired as an assistant softball coach at Division II Northeastern State, according to the Oklahoman.   Known for her power at the plate, Donihoo was clutch in OU’s 2021 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) title, tying a WCWS single-game record with two home runs. She even hit .476 with 10 RBIs in the chase for a trophy while making a pai

Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball It’s that time of year again. For NCAA Division I softball, college coaches can officially contact high school juniors on Sept. 1, 2025.  What Coaches and Athletes Can Do Starting September 1  Make verbal scholarship offers and send athletes all forms of private electronic correspondence, including phone calls, text messages, instant messages, direct messages and emails, as well as all recruiting

Credit: Umpqua Community College ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Johnathan James Dowdy of Coos Bay, Oregon, who earlier this year hit a Umpqua Community College softball team bus while under the influence and killed head softball coach Jami Strinz and first baseman Kiley Neveah Jones, has pleaded guilty. The 32-year-old appeared in court on Monday and pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree manslaughter, three counts of third-degree assault, and five co

Credit: Michigan Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball The winningest coach in NCAA softball history is getting the recognition she deserves. The University of Michigan athletic department announced its 2025 Hall of Honor class on Wednesday, and legend Carol Hutchins topped the list among five former student-athletes, and former men's track and field coach, Jack Harvey . Michigan Hall of Honor 2025 Class Carol Hutchins, softball coach (1985-2022)  Jack Ha

Credit: Wilmington High School Softball ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball A former junior varsity assistant softball coach for Wilmington High School in Wilmington, Ohio, was arrested last Thursday after he allegedly secretly recorded minors with a hidden camera disguised as a Bluetooth speaker.  According to information from the Clinton County Common Pleas Court obtained by Local 12 WKRC-TV ,  48-year-old Gordon B. Cordell III was indicted on four counts of il

Credit: Australia Softball ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball The WBSC Women's Softball World Cup will return to Australia. The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced Redcliffe in Queensland has gained hosting rights for the Finals in 2027.  And there’s no better place to celebrate the growth the sport of softball has seen.  The first-ever WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup was played at Albert Park in Melbourne in February 1965, with five teams: Th

Credit: South Carolina State Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball The Atlanta Braves and Truist announced on Monday that they have selected six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) recipients for the 2025 Homers for Hank Together with Truist initiative, fulfilling a $1 million commitment over the past five years.  Homers for Hank Together with Truist was established in 2021 by the Atlanta Braves and Truist to invest in local HBCU softba

Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball NCAA softball is finally changing its postseason tournament seeding format. Just like women’s volleyball and soccer, the road to the Women’s College World Series will now seed 32 teams, according to Softball America . These additions will not change the 16 national seeds, but will help boost the top seeds with essentially easier matchups. In order for the NCAA to protect the 400-mile geographic

Credit: Arkansas Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball A former Arkansas team manager and graduate assistant is returning to Fayetteville, this time as an assistant coach. Head coach Courtney Deifel appointed Parker Staggs to her staff on Friday, and he will primarily assist with the pitchers.  “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Parker Staggs back to our Razorback softball family,” Deifel said in the press release . “Parker’s work ethic, personality,

Credit: MLB ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball For the first time in Nike RBI Softball history, Detroit has taken the title of World Series Champions. After being eliminated from the 2024 Nike RBI World Series early on, the Detroit Tigers RBI Softball 18U team entered the 2025 season with new priorities.  “Last year was our first year coming down here,” head coach Ron Goss told MLB . “It was kind of a shock to see how good everybody was, and then had to deal wit

Credit: USA Softball ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball At the World Games 2025 Women’s Softball competition in Chengdu, China, the United States grabbed its fourth consecutive gold medal with a 5-0 shutout win against Chinese Taipei .  Ace Megan Faraimo led in the circle, allowing three hits and one walk to finish the complete game with 10 strikeouts.  The undefeated Eagles used the longball once again to power their offense. A three-run homer by Sahvanna Jaqui

Credit: Minneota Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball The University of Minnesota’s softball team announced additions to its coaching staff on Wednesday, hiring a former University of Wisconsin standout and minor league baseball coach, Stephanie Lombardo. Lombardo joins the Gophers after serving as a development coach for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates . Under the first female coach in team history, the Grassh

Credit: FSU Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Lindsay Fico has been hard at work this offseason before she heads into her first season as head coach of Florida Gulf Coast University.  In July, she announced a superstar addition to her coaching staff, Florida State standout Devyn Flaherty, who spent one season as a coach under Fico’s lead at Mercer in 2025.  "We are thrilled to welcome Devyn Flaherty to the FGCU softball family," Fico said in the press

Credit: USA Softball ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball The Opening Round of the World Games 2025 Women’s Softball competition is officially complete, and only four teams remain in the hunt for a gold medal.  With the U.S., Canada, and Japan already clinching the semifinals, day three confirmed the remaining contenders. Chinese Taipei shut out the Netherlands to secure second place in Group B, while Canada took down No. 1 Japan to clinch first place in Group A. 

Credit: USA Softball ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball After day two of the World Games 2025 Women’s Softball competition in Chengdu, China, three of the four semifinalists were confirmed. The U.S. stayed undefeated with a run-rule victory over the Netherlands to clinch Group A. Canada and Japan snagged wins over Australia and Puerto Rico to earn spots in Group B.  Here’s a recap of all the day two action.  USA 8, Netherlands 1 Megan Faraimo was the star of the

Credit: USA Softball ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball The World Games 2025 Women’s Softball competition kicked off on Wednesday in Chengdu, China, at the Xindu Better City Softball Arena with four incredible matchups.  Leading Group A, defending champions, the USA, and the Netherlands, opened with victories over the hosts, Chinese Taipei and China, while Canada and No.1 Japan grabbed wins against Puerto Rico and Australia in Group B.  Here’s a breakdown of eac

Credit: Mercer Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball It’s been over two months since Mercer University named Chris Kuhlmeyer the ninth head coach of the softball program, and now he’s ready to make additions to his coaching staff.  Veteran coach Morgan Edmondson and outfielder Taylor Bachmeyer will join the staff while Florida State standout Kalei Harding is snagging a full-time position after she served as a graduate manager for the Bears during the 20