2020 ODAC Spring Wrap-Up | Softball

2020 ODAC Spring Wrap-Up | Softball
Posted: May 05, 2020

FOREST, Va. --- Spring sports have been extraordinarily successful for the ODAC and its member schools in recent seasons, lending to a lot of excitement as the weather turns warmer in the final third of the academic year. That was true of the 2020 campaign as well before competition was halted due to the climate surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, some of the ODAC's best teams and student-athletes did take to their respective arenas and gave us a glimpse of what could have been an outstanding season.

In this installment of a series of season wrap-up features designed at recognizing some of those early achievements in the conference's spring sports, we take a look at the ODAC's softball programs.

In addition to the sections below showcasing a conference-wide view of the sport, wrap-ups and features from our member schools will be included to provide a more in-depth perspective for each program. The school features are posted at the bottom of this release and will be included as they become available.

STARTING OFF THE SEASON STRONG

Six of the ODAC's 11 squads opened the season with .500 or better records with all games save for two against non-conference competition. Virginia Wesleyan University finished the shortened campaign on an eight-game run on the way to an 11-1 record. Shenandoah University turned around its fortunes after starting the year 0-5 with a seven-game streak at the close of play. Guilford College also finished 7-5 with a five-game unbeaten stretch from contest 4-thru-8 on the Quakers' slate.

Bridgewater College used an 8-2 spring break trip to Florida to post a 13-3 mark and wrap things up on a five-game run. Ferrum College was just one victory back at 12-3, which featured a 9-0 start to its schedule. Randolph-Macon College went 4-1-1 in its first six games on the way to an 8-3-1 record.

Both Roanoke College and the University of Lynchburg finished with .500 marks. The Maroons enjoyed a four-game winning streak as part of an up-and-down slate of 18 games on the way to a 9-9 record. Despite closing the season on a four-game slide, the Hornets began their campaign with eight wins in their first 12 outings.

LOTS OF TEAMS RANKED BY THE NFCA

After a conference-record four teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year, respect for the ODAC's pedigree in softball was evidenced by four teams earning national rankings by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) this season.

Virginia Welseyan (7th), Randolph-Macon (10), and Lynchburg (12) all started off the campaign ranked in the preseason poll. All three took a step back in the first poll featuring 2020 play with the Marlins dropping to #10 and the Yellow Jackets slotting 12th. The Hornets fell outside of the top-25, but still received votes towards the survey. The ODAC, however, maintained three teams in the table as Ferrum debuted at #25.

The next week saw VWU and FC take major jumps forward with the Marlins moving to sixth and the Panthers climbing to 13th via an 8-0 record. Randolph-Macon remained in the listing at #18. The March 11th survey saw VWU move up to fifth, while R-MC dropped one spot to 19th. Ferrum slid back to 23rd after a 2-3 week.

The final poll of the season saw Virginia Wesleyan and Ferrum stay at #5 and #23, respectively. Randolph-Macon moved back up to #18

REALLY TOUGH SCHEDULES

In recent seasons, it has become a trend for ODAC teams to play some of the toughest schedules in Division III. That, of course, is helped out by playing against fellow conference teams. But league programs have also scheduled difficult non-conference slates.

Emory & Henry College's 7-10 start is peppered with difficult foes as the Wasps played against a league-best five nationally ranked non-conference opponents with one more slated for after play was halted. Using the NFCA's final rankings, E&H squared of with #3 Christopher Newport University, #4 Illinois Wesleyan University, #10 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, #13 DePauw University, and #20 Birmingham-Southern College. They were scheduled to meet #14 Berry College later in the season.

Lynchburg had four non-conference ranked teams on its ledger plus another the Hornets did not get a chance to play. They met Emory University, which opened the season #2, in a rematch of last year's NCAA Super Regional series. Lynchburg also played #6 Salisbury University, #9 Kean University, and The College of New Jersey, which was slotted as high as 10th. The Hornets had CNU on their docket later in the year.

Virginia Wesleyan had four ranked opponents on its calendar. They took on Salisbury and Averett University, the latter of which was receiving votes towards the survey in week three and the final poll. The Marlins were scheduled to play CNU and DePauw in later weeks. Roanoke also took on Averett as well as CNU and Trine University, which opened the spring ranked #4. Randolph College is the remaining team to play multiple non-conference ranked squads. The WildCats played against Averett and CNU.

Bridgewater, Randolph-Macon, and Shenandoah each had one non-league ranked opponent. The Eagles downed the University of Mount Union on their spring break trip. The Purple Raiders received votes towards the final NFCA poll. R-MC took on #9 Kean University and was also scheduled to play CNU. Shenandoah met Misericordia University, which earned consideration towards the last two surveys.

HULL OF FAME

Virginia Wesleyan lefty Hanna Hull has basically rewritten the ODAC pitching record books and has collected a plethora of awards and accomplishments after three-plus seasons of stellar performance. Her mantle now also includes the 2020 ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year award for softball. In the classroom, Hull maintains a 3.66 grade point average as a mathematics major with a business minor. The Chesterfield, Va., native is a soon-to-be four-time honoree as an Academic All-ODAC student-athlete and has also featured on the Virginia Wesleyan Presidents List and Dean's List. She served as the Chief Information Officer for the C-Suite Team in the Marlin Prestige Business Conference program.

On the field, the three-time NFCA First Team All-American and two-time NFCA Divsion III Player of the Year was off to a stellar start in 2020. In 11 appearances, Hull was 8-0 with five complete games and four shutouts. She had given up just one run and allowed 20 hits in 47.1 innings in the circle. She walked 13 and fanned 66 batters while boasting a 0.15 earned run average.

Hull, who won the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Award recognizing the Most Outstanding College Athlete who formerly attended a Virginia high school at the 2019 Norfolk Sports Club Jamboree, is one of just 24 pitchers all-time in Division III to rack up 1,000 or more career strikeouts. She owns most ODAC pitching records including wins (109) and winning percentage (.924) after going 109-9 during her career. She established new league marks in innings pitched (725.2), strikeouts (1,153), shutouts (44), and earned run average (0.68). Hull set ODAC single-season records for wins (40 in 2018), innings pitched (267.2 in 2018), strikeouts (376 in 2018), shutouts (17 in 2017), and ERA (0.51 in 2017).

In terms of NCAA records, Hull's resumé is impressive. Her 40 victories in 2018 make her one of just two pitchers in Division III history to reach the 40-win plateau. She was 40-2 that season, which is one loss better than Jennifer Segner's 2000 season for Muskingum College. Hull's 109-9 career record towards a .924 winning percentage is fourth all-time, while her 109 victories rank ninth. Hull owns two of the top-15 all-time strikeout seasons in NCAA Division III history with 376 as #13 in 2018 and 372 as #15 in 2017. Her 47 appearances in 2018 are tied for third in D-III history.

DEVELOPING STORYLINES AND PLAYERS WE WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED

  • Randolph-Macon's Encore | For the first time in program history, Randolph-Macon reached the 2019 championship series of the Division III Tournament. Although their stay in Tyler, Texas, was shorter than desired, the Yellow Jackets continued a run of ODAC teams making the final series when including Virginia Wesleyan's titles in 2017 and 2018. R-MC was off to a solid start this season at 8-3-1 as they looked to build back towards another run.
  • Lynchburg's Answer | Lynchburg almost joined Randolph-Macon in Texas as the Hornets reached (and hosted) a super regional series against Emory University. Lynchburg was powered by a strong senior class that featured NFCA Player of the Year Mackenzie Chitwood. The question entering 2020 was how to replace the lost production of Chitwood and classmates like Brittany Coffey and Taylor Mabry. An 8-8 start -- including an 8-4 win over Emory -- against a strong early season schedule had the Hornets tracking well.
  • Another Chance for VWU | Virginia Wesleyan won the 2017 and 2018 titles and held the #1 national ranking for much of the 2019 season. After claiming their fourth straight ODAC title and putting themselves in the driver's seat with two wins in their first two games in the NCAA Regionals, the Marlins were stunned by Lynchburg as the Hornets won twice on the final day to eliminate the two-time defending national champions from the tournament. VWU got off to another strong start in 2020 with an 11-1 record when play was halted. The Marlins would have been tested with a challenging spring break trip before hopping into ODAC play as they worked towards a return to the NCAA postseason.
  • Bridgewater and Ferrum Climbing the Ranks | Bridgewater had started making strides over the past few seasons, climbing from nine wins in 2016 to 23 last year. The Eagles were off to a flying start in 2020 with a 13-3 record under new head coach Megan Pleskovic, powered by an 8-2 showing on their spring break trip to Florida. Ferrum College, in just its second season in the ODAC, didn't take long to retool as the Panthers jumped out to a 12-3 record including wins in their first nine contests. Ferrum cracked the NFCA's national top-25 poll starting in the first week of the season and climbed as high as #13 in the country.
  • Hot at the Dish | Several players were off to impressive starts at the dish. Ferrum's Arielle Eure was beating the cover off the ball in hitting an ODAC-best .563 while also leading the league in runs (21), hits (27), triples (3), total bases (44), and on-base percentage (.611). She was also second in doubles (5), steals (16), and slugging (.917). Bridgewater's Katrina Martin was the ODAC leader in slugging (.977) powered by 11 extra-base hits amongst her 21 total knocks. She also led the league in walks (15) and was second in RBI (22), total bases (43) and OBP (.603). Guilford's Casey Bunting and Randolph-Macon's Erin Doyle led the league with five homers each with Bunting also topping the RBI (24) charts. That total ranked second in Division III, which is the highest national ranking by an ODAC player in an offensive category. Virginia Wesleyan's duo of Danielle Stewart and Jessica Goldyn were second and third in batting average at .500 and .485, respectively. Goldyn was second in doubles (5) and steals (16). Lynchburg's Jordan Vance was second in hits (23) while hitting .479. Ferrum's Keri Hamlett led the ODAC in steals with 20.
  • Crafty in the Circle | In addition to VWU lefty Hanna Hull's exploits (see above and below), several other pitchers were enjoying solid seasons. Bridgewater's Brantley Swift was second in the ODAC in wins (7) and shutouts (3) while posting a 7-0 record with a 1.52 ERA. Ferrum's duo of Lyndsey Sears and Ashton Lambeth each won six games in combining to go 12-3. Emory & Henry's Cameron Derr led the ODAC in complete games (7) and was second in innings pitched (52.0) and strikeouts (55). Eastern Mennonite's Emily Campbell was the most active hurler with 56.2 innings in the circle on the way to a 4-4 start. Guilford's Katie McNeil went 5-3 in 39.2 innings of work. Shenandoah's Megan Scalley fanned 40 batters in 34.2 frames.

RANK 'EM

The following list of players were ranked inside NCAA Division III's top-50 in a major statistical category.

  • Brooklynne Fridley, BC | 29th in triples (2)
  • Sydney Layman, BC | 33rd in homeruns (3)
  • Katrina Martin, BC | 5th in RBI (22); 7th in total bases (43); 8th in triples (3); 13th in homeruns (4); 29th in SLG (.977)
  • Avery Pinder, BC | 11th in stolen bases (14)
  • Brantley Swift, BC | 6th in shutouts (3); 8th in wins (7); 16th in complete games (6); 36th in WHIP (0.83)
  • Emily Campbell, EMU | 9th in complete games (7)
  • Nicole Cox, E&H | 29th in triples (2)
  • Cameron Derr, E&H | 9th in complete games (7); 16th in strikeouts (55)
  • Alex Thomas, E&H | 13th in homeruns (4)
  • Leanna Toler, E&H | 12th in stolen bases (13)
  • Bailey Cunningham, FC | 7th in hits (27); 20th in doubles (7)
  • Arielle Eure, FC | 5th in total bases (44); 5th in stolen bases (16); 8th in triples (3); 44th in SLG (.917); 46th in batting avg. (.563)
  • Keri Hamlett, FC | 3rd in stolen bases (20)
  • Ashton Lambeth, FC | 15th in wins (6); 35th in complete games (5)
  • Lyndsey Sears, FC | 11th in shutouts (2); 15th in wins (6); 16th in complete games (6); 36th in strikeouts (40)
  • Casey Bunting, GC | 2nd in RBI (24); 7th in homeruns (5); 49th in SLG (.912)
  • Katie McNeil, GC | 29th in wins (5); 34th in strikeouts (41)
  • Kayli Scott, GC | 29th in triples (2)
  • Jordyn Vance, LYN | 25th in hits (23)
  • Abbi Pannill, RAND | 7th in saves (2)
  • Alyssa Swords, RAND | 29th in triples (2)
  • Erin Doyle, R-MC | 7th in homeruns (5); 28th in RBI (17)
  • Shelby Hill, R-MC | 12th in stolen bases (13)
  • Mary Bostic, RC | 20th in doubles (7)
  • Rebecca Hensley, RC | 29th in triples (2)
  • Shanan Hester, RC | 18th in RBI (18); 33rd in homeruns (3); 43rd in total bases (33)
  • Jada Karnes, RC | 21st in strikeouts (53)
  • Olivia Simmons, RC | 29th in wins (5)
  • Morgan Henley, SU | 29th in triples (2)
  • Megan Scalley, SU | 36th in strikeouts (40)
  • Jessica Goldyn, VWU | 5th in stolen bases (16)
  • Hanna Hull, VWU | 1st in shutouts (4); 3rd in wins (8) 4th in strikeouts (66); 19th in ERA (0.15); 21st in WHIP (0.70); 35th in complete games (5)

THE ODAC HAS SOME REALLY GOOD COACHES

Good coaching is a staple up and down the ODAC's ranks of sponsored sports. From promising newcomers to those with established cultures and even a few with hall of fame credentials, there are no shortage of quality mentors for the league's student-athletes.

Active conference coaches have earned 17 ODAC Coach of the Year awards. Virginia Wesleyan's Brandon Elliott leads that group with seven honors in 2011-12, 2014-15, and 2017-19. Lynchburg's Dawn Simmons won three times from 2003-05 and again in 2013. Eastern Mennonite University's J.D. McCurdy shared the honor with Randolph-Macon's Kevin Proffitt in 2007 and then won the 2010 and 2016 honors outright. Guilford College's Dennis Shores was recognized in 2008, and Roanoke College's Mike Mitchell shared the 2012 award with Elliott.

In terms of sheer winning, the ODAC's softball coaches are an impressive group with 10 of the 11 mentors -- including two first-year coaches -- owning better than .500 winning percentages. In total, the current active group has a collective 2,656-1,544-6 record, which equates to a .632 winning percentage. That's a lot of winning!

Elliott entered the season third among active Division III coaches in winning percentage. He will hold onto that position after this year's 11-1 showing pushed him to an .807 mark. Simmons' .664 winning clip should stay inside the chart's top-30, while Mitchell's .600 mark may fall just outside the final position on the list as he entered the year in that spot, 55th in the country.

By victories, Simmons was 19th entering the season and should stay in the top-20 with 611 career wins. Elliott was 43rd and poised to move up the list with 461 wins. Proffitt has a shot at cracking the list as he closes 2020 with 408 victories.

Below is a snapshot of the ODAC's active head coaches and their career records thru this season.

  • Megan Pleskovic, BC| 13-3 (.813) in 1 season
  • J.D. McCurdy, EMU | 333-251-1 (.570) in 17 seasons
  • Tommy Forrester, E&H | 162-111 (.593) in 7 seasons
  • Gerald Culler, FC | 105-74 (.587) in 5 seasons
  • Dennis Shores, GC | 305-241-2 (.558) in 14 seasons
  • Dawn Simmons, LYN | 611-309-2 (.664) in 22 seasons
  • Kasdyn Waldron, RAND | 4-10 (.286) in 1 season
  • Kevin Proffitt, R-MC | 408-247-1 (.623) in 18 seasons
  • Mike Mitchell, RC | 247-183 (.600) in 12 years
  • Courtney Moyer, SU | 7-5 (.583) in 1 season
  • Brandon Elliott, VWU | 461-110 (.807) in 13 seasons

Click one of the graphics below to be taken to that school's season wrap-up feature. These features will be added as our members complete them.

For more on ODAC softball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and following @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.