Not much activity from the coaching staff on social media either. Hopefully we have a bunch of good things going on behind the scenes. Maybe?
At least we know we have a new coach. Memphis still has now former softball coach Prothro listed on their official website with no announcement that she resigned and has returned to the SEC.
UAB lost their coach too, and I donāt even think theyāve announced that yet. Much less a new coach.
Former Memphis commit signed. Incoming freshman RHP.
Roster is shaping up.
PITCHING:
32 Brooke Bowling RHP
Abby Gawlinski - RHP **
Avery Shamblin - RHP*
Aubrey Yarnall - LHP**
POSITION PLAYERS:
7 Savanna Nguyen INF
33 Teagan Ritchie INF
14 Christina Wellen OF
10 Olivia Williams OF
3 London Dirks OF
Addison Lund- Utility/ Catcher *
Tessa Autrey - Utility*
Brelyn OāHearn- OF*
Emma Shoemaker- IF*
*Freshman
**Transfer
EDIT: added Aubrey Yarnall
Looks like a transfer LHP from UT -Arlington.
2025 commit:
Coach Chastain committed at her press conference to put a fence around the state of South Carolina. Someone left the gate open for this one.
Been a while since we have had a lefty slap hitter.
The previous staff doesnāt recruit slappers.
I know that. I never let facts get in the way of my snide comments.
I never understood why slap hitters were not recruited here as they are a major part of all successful college softball teams.
They have phased out a lot over the last 10yrsā¦analyticsā¦launch angleā¦and the fact that most softball fields are still at 200ftā¦favors the long ball.
For referenceā¦12 yr olds play Little League fast pitch softball on 200ft fieldsā¦and most colleges do too. When you can miss hit a ball and carry it 200ftā¦coaches would rather have that than a slapper.
Just one of the many things I appreciate about you.
Apparently we have 20 players on the current roster but Iāve only been able to account for 13 as of now.
New names:
Lillian Berry RHP
Riley Gilmore 1B/INF
Jenna Lord INF
Jasmine Sanchez OF
Kari Shedrick 1B/ INF
Gracie Suggs C
Jaylah Jarrell UTIL
Iām not gonna pretend to know what Iām talking about with softball, but how excited should we be with these new players? Anyone of special note?
Very hard to tell with so many new faces. Their previous stats look okay but none really look outstanding. Just going to hope they jell together and as fans we have to understand this is definitely a building year and the coach wasnāt allowed time to do any quality recruiting.