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

Credit: Cal Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Just a week after Steve Singleton was appointed head softball coach of the California Golden Bears , he has made several impactful coaching staff additions. Arkansas four-year letter winner Danielle Gibson Whorton, his wife and SFU alum, Chelsea Rex-Singleton, and former Longhorn, Camille Corona, highlight the staff. Here’s a deep dive into what each of these coaches will bring to Berkeley. Danielle Gib

Credit: Clemson Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball A 2023 USA Softball Player of the Year and four-time NFCA All-American is returning to the field, this time as a coach. According to Justin McLeod of D1 Softball, former Clemson Tiger Valerie Cagle is reportedly joining the Furman staff as an assistant coach. This marks the first college coaching job for the two-way standout. As one of Clemson’s best players to ever take the field, Cagle brings an ex

Credit: USA Softball ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Head coach Patty Gasso and the United States Women’s National Team are set to compete in the World Games beginning Wednesday in Chengdu, China. Team USA will look to capture its fourth consecutive World Games title, having previously won gold in all three official softball appearances in Santa Barbara (1981), London (1985), and Birmingham (2022). Team USA will kick off the action on Wednesday against Chin

Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Bri Ellis had no time to dwell on her senior season with Arkansas, let alone her entire collegiate career. The USA Player of the Year was drafted No. 2 overall in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) College Draft, and with the league starting training camp during the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), Ellis was expected to join her new team, the Talons, as soon as her season was

Credit: USA Softball ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball It’s no secret that NiJaree Canady is a trailblazer in college softball and women’s sports in general. On the diamond, she’s coming off one heck of a season with the Texas Tech Raiders, where she threw and slugged her way to several program milestones, a Big 12 title, and an appearance in the Women’s College World Series, ending as runners-up. Making 46 appearances in the circle, she finished the season wit

Credit: Alex Martin, Detroit Free Press ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball For the first time in program history, the University of Maryland is set to host the Big Ten Softball Tournament May 6-9, 2026. Built in 2002, the Maryland Softball Stadium offers amenities including seating for over 1,000 fans, dugouts with restrooms, two bullpen areas, four batting cages, light towers for night games, a concession area, a ticket booth, and a press box. The playing sur

Credit: Houston Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Texas head coach Mike White isn’t the only softball legend in his family. His daughter, Nyree White, who played at Stanford from 2012 to 2014 and spent time with both the U.S. Women’s National Team and New Zealand’s National Team, is now taking on a coaching role of her own. University of Houston softball head coach Chrissy Schoonmaker announced the addition of White as an assistant coach on Tuesday

Credit: MLB ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Former Hofstra softball catcher and three-time All-Conference pick Jen Pawol is set to make Major League Baseball History this weekend when she becomes the first woman to umpire a regular-season game. She’ll umpire three games during the series between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, including both Saturday’s doubleheader on the bases and behind the plate for the finale on Sunday. The doublehea

Credit: LSU Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball A former LSU standout is staying in Baton Rouge. After spending a year as a graduate assistant, the program announced on Tuesday that 2021 NFCA All-American shortstop Taylor Pleasants has been named a full-time assistant coach. The four-time NFCA All-Region selection and three-time All-SEC honoree coached first base and worked primarily with infielders during the 2025 season. Now, she’ll have the opport

Credit: AUSL ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Next to ace Lexi Kilfoyl, Odicci Alexander led the Bandits to history, becoming one of two teams to make it to the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) postseason. Over 31 innings pitched, she collected 20 strikeouts and tied for the lowest amount of earned runs on the Bandits pitching staff at 16. Her 3.54 ERA was second behind Kilfoyl, putting the Bandits in second place with a 15-9 record. But wh

Credit: AUSL ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Though the inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) has concluded, there’s still plenty of professional ball to be played. Sixty elite players will continue playing and face off in the AUSL All-Star Cup August 2-31. This 21-game high-stakes showdown will create an individual champion instead of a team, embodying the previous Athletes Unlimited format. Teams will be drafted by the top four

Credit: Kansas Athletics ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Kansas softball is elevating its coaching staff. The program announced on social media that pitching coach Laura Heberling has been promoted to associate head coach. “I’m excited to promote coach Heberling to associate head coach,” head coach Jennifer McFalls said in the post. “I respect her passion for the game, her commitment to excellence, and her positive leadership that impacts our players every d

Credit: William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball The Camden Wyoming Little League softball team made national news last Thursday when an ESPN camera caught manager Shani Benson appearing to assault one of her players during the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament. Benson, who was in a heated discussion with her daughter, reached across and put her hand to the player's face in what appeared to b

Credit: Greg Sofranko ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball USA Softball is set to preserve the legacy of one of softball’s greatest players. Former Alabama star, Olympic medalist, professional, and now Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) head coach, Kelly Kretschman, will be inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 25, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Kretschman has made a significant impact on all aspects of the game, and

Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON www.si.com/onsi/softball Though struggling in the regular season and fighting through another Super Regional appearance in 2025, the Bulldogs made incredible moves through the transfer portal this offseason, landing No.3 in Softball America’s transfer class rankings . While most of the starting lineup and talented pitching staff return, the additions of several young former top recruits, aces in the circle, and power-