As the Division II season is set to get underway for 2019, we’re here to recap the offseason that saw more than forty head coaching changes in D2 alone, and give you some teams and players that you will want to make a part of your softball viewing this year.
I. Head Coaching Moves
As the Division I coaching carousel never stopped turning, Division II had their own fair share of head coaching changes, with more than forty programs changing hands since the 2018 season ended. Here, we take a look at some of the higher-profile job changes and those that might have flown under the radar, but could have a greater impact.
—> West Florida
(The Argos’ coaching change was particularly unexpected, just a year removed from a berth in the NCAA Championship round, and in the consistency stretch of a program rebuild engineered by Melissa Paul. In a university press release shortly after the season ended in late May, Paul announced that she was stepping down from her post to spend more time with her family. She led the Argos to a 138-83 record during her four-year tenure that included the NCAA Championship berth and the third South Region Championship in program history. Longtime assistant Ashliegh McLean takes the reins for 2019; the program’s pitching coach for the last three seasons, McLean shepherded the squad’s pitching staff to a 2.72 team ERA and more than 800 strikeouts, as well as nine all-conference and all-region awards.)
—> Colorado Mesa
(The Mavericks came within a single game of the program record for single-season wins a year ago, finishing the 2018 campaign with a 48-5 overall record. After the squad were surprisingly upset in the Regional round of the postseason, head coach Ben Garcia accepted the head coaching job at D1 Northern Colorado. Assistant coach Erik Kozel was elevated to the interim head coaching position after Garcia’s departure, and has his work cut out for him as the Mavericks seek to replace star slugger Brooke Hodgson, who posted a .508 batting average and seventeen home runs last season. Hodgson was one of a few crucial offensive pieces that departed via graduation following the record-breaking year, but pitchers Kimbri Herring and McKenzie Surface, who pitched to a 2.37 ERA between them and recorded 312 strikeouts, both return for their respective senior seasons.)
—> Texas Woman’s
(After five seasons at TWU, head coach Genny Stidham, along with her husband and assistant coach Jerod, resigned in mid-June. The Stidhams accepted co-head coaching positions at a junior college in Oklahoma, leaving TWU after posting a 158-107-2 overall record in five seasons. The Pioneers reached the NCAA postseason four years in a row, including the Super Regionals in 2017; Genny Stidham was named the Lone Star Conference’s Coach of the Year in 2015. In their stead came Amber Barker, who was hired away from Albany State to helm the Pioneers’ program. At Albany State, Barker posted a 54-47 overall record in two seasons and led the program to the NCAA regionals in 2018. Barker also spent time at Darton State College, posting a 41-54 record in a tenure that stretched from 2014-16. She has been an assistant coach at UT-Dallas and Louisiana Tech.)
—> Adelphi
(Another team that saw it’s coach move on to a higher division, the Panthers saw head coach Bree Nasti move on to an assistant coaching position at Providence this summer. Nasti, considered by many a rising star in the profession, had spent six seasons with the Panthers, posting a 204-119-2 overall record during her tenure. She led the program to the NCAA tournament in each of her six seasons at the helm, and twice appeared in the Division II Women’s College World Series. Under her guidance, the squad won a trio of Northeast-10 conference championships and saw four all-Americans. Carla Campagna was hired to replace Nasti, after serving for six years as an assistant coach at LIU Post. It is the first head coaching position of Campagna’s career, after helping lead LIU Post to the NCAA tournament five teams during her tenure on staff with the Pioneers.)
—> Maryville
(Former head coach Stephanie Decker elected to leave her post due to familial obligations, after spending just two seasons as the Saints’ head coach. A former Division I assistant and Michigan grad, Decker was 48-47-1 in her two years leading the squad. Her departure opened the position that was filled by former Alabama infielder Courtney Conley, who joined the Saints after two seasons as an assistant coach at Lindenwood. Conley has never been a collegiate head coach, as her career included the two-year stint at Lindenwood as well as three seasons on staff at Missouri State.)
—> Oklahoma Christian
(Former Texas Tech head coach Shanon Hays is back in familiar territory, returning to the Midwest for the first time since his departure from Texas Tech after the 2014 season. Hays spent the last two seasons at Colorado Christian, leading that program to the NCAA tournament in his second season and setting a school record for victories. The pair of seasons at CCU was Hays’ return to collegiate sports, after he spent two years out of college softball after his tenure at Texas Tech ended.)
—> Cal State San Bernadino/Cal State Dominguez Hills
(The program previously led by Jim Maier and the program he now helms both have intriguing outlooks for 2019. Maier spent four years at CSSB, putting together a 128-90 record and taking the team to the NCAA regionals in two seasons. Former Chico State assistant Dee Payan was hired to lead the Coyotes after Maier departed for the CSDH job, to be closer to his family. Payan spent two years as the top assistant at Chico State, and was part of the coaching staff that led that program to the NCAA D2 World Series last season. Maier’s new home at CSDH is familiar territory for him; he spent thirteen years with the Toros from 2001-13, collecting seven NCAA tournament appearances and 460 wins during his initial tenure at the school. The Toros have not seen the postseason since his departure.)
II. Teams to Watch
Southern Indiana made an impressive run through the Championship a season ago, capturing the program’s first-ever national championship. North Georgia finished the year prematurely in the preliminary rounds of the World Series after just two losses through the entirety of the regular season. Here, we look at some of the top teams in D2, as well as those who have interesting storylines to follow as the season winds on.
—> Southern Indiana
(The arm of Jennifer Leonhardt propelled the Eagles to the Division II title, and she said that she feels ‘great’ going into the 2019 campaign. The Eagles will certainly have a target on their backs after back-to-back World Series appearances and winning the national title, Key returners include Leonhardt, who posted a 2.29 ERA and 277 strikeouts last season, as well as Allison Schubert, who led the team with a .340 batting average and eleven home runs during the 2018 campaign.)
—> North Georgia
(The Nighthawks lost just two games during the entirety of the 2018 regular season, both by just one run., and a surprising, upset elimination in the preliminary rounds of the World Series shocked many. Then-sophomore pitcher Kylee Smith earned National Player of the Year honors after posting a 0.59 ERA, a 36-3 record, and 338 strikeouts on the year. Opponents hit just .137 against her, and recorded just eighteen extra base hits. The Nighthawks lost only two seniors from that incredible squad last season, setting Mike Davenport’s club up for another year of great success.)
—> Southern Arkansas
(Losing a hitter like Brooke Goad would give most coaches fits, and Jason Anderson may be in that category. He mitigated his damages, though, and exchanged Brooke Goad, the Player for Brooke Goad, the Coach. While Goad is just in her first year on the coaching staff, she’ll be handy to have around as the Muleriders look to replace her .393/32/72 slash line in the batting order. The program leader in eight categories last season, including NINETY-ONE walks, she leaves big shoes to fill. Also departing the program as seniors following the 2018 season were Monica Islava, who finished second to Goad in the team home run race, and Jill Roye, the team’s second-leading hitter with a .368 batting average. All hope is not lost for Anderson and his team, however; key returners include Faith Otts, who finished third on the team with fifteen home runs a season ago, as well as dynamite pitching duo Victoria Taylor and Brooke Ford-Nelson, who combined for a 1.45 ERA and forty-seven wins between them last season. A hard-hitting, power-slugging team, it will be interesting to see who steps up to fill monstrous shoes left in the batting order for the Muleriders.)
—> Saint Leo
(The team that took Southern Indiana the distance, and then some, in the World Series semifinals, the Lions scored four runs in the top of the first inning, then never scored again in an eventual 5-4 loss. The Lions lost ERA leader Alison Mitts to graduation, but return Auria Mounts, who threw 166.2 innings and posted a 2.10 ERA. Also returning in 2019 are Kacie Kelly, who led the team with fifteen doubles last season, and speedster Shyanne DuBois, who stole thirty-five bases on the year. Erin Kinberger’s squad surprised some with their deep postseason run, and despite the loss of Mitts, as well as pitching coach Maddie Holub, the Lions could be looking at another jaunt to the postseason.)
—> Tarleton State
(The TexAnns finished the 2018 season 50-11, the first time in program to reach the 50-win mark. Mark Cumpian’s squad reached the regional final before ultimately falling, and now return five starters from that squad. That number includes reigning Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year Georgia Capell (also named an all-American after the season), and that group is complimented by returning junior hurler Jordan Withrow, who was named the conference’s Pitcher of the Year after posting a 26-6 record and 252 strikeouts. In their last season before adopting a new moniker (they’re dropping ‘TexAnns’ in favor of a more simple ‘Texans’), could this be the year the program goes deeper into the postseason?)
—> Angelo State
(With Brandy Marlett and Morgan Hill both graduated, pitching will be the biggest question mark when the Rams look to return to the World Series this season. The pair combined for a 1.70 ERA between them, and collected fifty-one wins and 353 strikeouts last season in their respective senior years. On the offensive side of the ball, Taegan Kirk returns after leading the team with a .407 batting average and clubbing fifteen home runs a season ago, as does home run leader Karina Rocha, but graduated stars in the lineup include Madison Greenwell (.362, 26 stolen bases) and Brooke Mangold, who now joins the team’s staff. It will be an uphill battle for the Rams to repeat as WCWS participants, but if their pitching questions can be answered sooner rather than later, the climb will get far simpler.)
—> Palm Beach Atlantic
(In the Sailfish’s first season under Bailey Castro, the squad posted a 36-8 record that at one point included a 23-game winning streak. The Sailfish did not lose for nearly two months during that streak, and later swept a regular season-ending series against eventual World Series participant Saint Leo. The team lost their top hurler in Ashton Adkins, but return breakout freshman Abbey Busby in the circle (1.46 ERA, 77 strikeouts). Leading hitter Magnolia West (.406/.503/.472) also returns, while the team will need to find another power threat after the graduation of Michaela Hynes. Keep an eye on Maddie Bertisch, as well; the now-senior hit .382 last season, and stole thirteen bases. She’s the team’s top returning base stealer.)
—> LIU Post
(This column will be the last to discuss the Pioneers in a preseason format, as the Long Island University system announced a plan earlier this year to merge LIU Post and LIU Brooklyn into one entity. The unification will take affect in the fall, giving the Pioneers a final season on the diamond. Returning star Abbey Fortin is the highlight of the Pioneers batting order, after posting a .413 batting average and clubbing nineteen home runs – nearly 2/3 of the team’s overall total – in 2018. The program also returns their top two pitchers, in senior Hannah Olshevski and junior Katie Humhej. With significant talent on the roster, it could be a memorable year for the program.)
III. Names to Know
Whether it be reigning award winners, postseason stars, or even first-year transfers, the D2 ranks are filled with talent that should not be overlooked. Here, we give you a look at some players you might have heard of, and some you might need to make sure you hear about this season.
—> Kylee Smith, North Georgia
(The clear and obvious choice to start off this section, Smith earned National Player of the Year honors last season after a positively incredible performance in her sophomore campaign. Smith posted an microscopically-small 0.59 ERA on the year, thirty-six wins, and 338 strikeouts. Named an all-American in addition to the Player of the Year honor, Smith held opponents to a .137 batting average against her, all in more than 236 innings of work. Her encore act to that impressive performance will surely be one to keep an eye on.)
—> Taegan Kirk, Angelo State
(Taegan Kirk might be the top name that many softball fans don’t know, but should. She’s gotten better in each year of her career, and led the Rams with a .407 batting average and fifteen home runs in 2018. After hitting just .296 as a freshman, Kirk played her way up to the above-.400 mark, and also led her team with a 1.210 OPS and sixty-six RBI last season. Selected as the Lone Star Preseason Player of the Year to start this season, Kirk could be in contention for the national award if she continues her career’s upward trajectory.)
—> Jordan Withrow, Tarleton State
(The conference’s Pitcher of the Year and an all-region second-team selection, Withrow posted a 26-6 win-loss record in her sophomore season, collecting 252 strikeouts in 221.1 innings of work. Not only did her numbers average out to just above a strikeout per inning, she also became the first pitcher in the Tarleton State history to reach the 200 strikeout-mark in a single season. She also set the program record for starts in a single year as a pitcher, and will be a major catalyst to the TexAnns’ postseason chances this year.)
—> Lacie Rinus, Carson-Newman
(Rinus cemented her place in Eagles program history with her second consecutive all-American honor in 2018, just the second player to earn two such awards since Carson Newman joined the Division II ranks. A dual-threat player, Rinus led her team and finished second in the league with a .435 batting average last season, slugging .618 with two home runs. She posted nineteen doubles, also a team-best mark, and drove in twenty-eight runs. In the pitching circle, Rinus recorded a 2.23 ERA in 245 innings of work, holding opponents to a .229 batting average and collecting 231 strikeouts. The Eagles have undergone a coaching change headed into this season, but Michael Graves – in his first full-time season as head coach – has one of the nation’s best in his batting order and in the circle.)
—> MaKaleigh Dooley, Tampa
(Named the Sunshine State Conference’s Pitcher of the Year in 2018, Dooley earned her second-consecutive all-region honor and her first all-American award following the campaign. She posted a 25-11 overall record, tying a program record for wins in a single season, and recorded a 1.27 ERA and 226 strikeouts in 247.1 innings pitched. Also a dual-threat player, she hit .254 at the plate, with seven doubles and fourteen RBI.)
—> Clara Larson, Colorado School of Mines
(After earning second-team all-conference honors as a freshman, Larson broke out in 2018, to the tune of first-team all-American honors and a record-setting offensive performance. She hit .425 on the year, with an .839 slugging percentage and fifteen home runs. She knocked in sixty-four runs, with twenty-one doubles and fifty-nine runs scored. Her RBI mark set a program record for a single-season, while her fifteen longballs tied the single-season home run record in the program’s annals.)
—> Lani Van Zyl, Winona State
(A solid player from her career’s start, Van Zyl likewise enjoyed a breakout season in 2018, her junior year. She led her team and the conference with a .473 batting average, as well as an .822 slugging percentage and .531 on-base percentage. She hit thirteen home runs on the year, driving in fifty-nine, and scoring fifty-five runs in her own right. Her batting average ranked tenth in all of Division II, while she finished in the top twenty-five in five other statistical categories.)
—> Kinsie Hebler, Texas A&M-Commerce
(Hebler earned second-team all-region honors as a freshman, throwing two no-hitters and batting .388 with eleven home runs. An impressive season, she followed that up with a sophomore season in 2018 that saw her hit .413 with nineteen home runs and seventy-three RBIs, including a trio of grand slams. Hebler finished third in the nation in RBIs and ranked in the top ten in three other categories, including home runs (6th); slugging percentage (10th); and total bases (10th). She saw limited pitching action, with 30.1 innings to her credit and twenty-eight strikeouts from the circle.)
