Up the Coast w/ Alex & Britt

ACC Softball Week 11: Duke Takes #1, A Healthy Stanford Surges & The Hosting Debate Heats Up

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This week, we’re breaking down a major power shift in the conference as Duke climbs to #1, followed by Florida State, Virginia Tech, and a surging Stanford team that just made a loud statement.

We dive into: Stanford’s HUGE weekend — a combined no-hitter, a sweep of Florida State, and a team that finally looks healthy, complete, and dangerous. Is this the version of Stanford that can run the table the rest of the way?

Florida State’s reality check — not all losses are created equal. Why this sweep says more about Stanford’s rise than FSU’s fall, plus the matchup issues (hello left-handed hitters 👀) that exposed some real concerns.

Virginia Tech vs. FSU hosting debate — Should the Hokies be ahead based on ranked wins and road success? Or do “bad losses” still matter more than big wins in the committee room?

Duke’s dominance — 12 home runs, elite offensive production, and a team that’s gone from 9–9 to the top of the ACC. Are they officially a title contender?

Postseason is nearing: who’s in, who’s out, who can control their own destiny, who has work to do and why every remaining series matters

Plus: Injury concerns at Virginia

UNC showing flashes despite inconsistency

Clemson making line up adjustments

Pitt making noise

And is Stanford finally what Britt thought they were going to be?

We close with some big-picture takes on postseason resumes, why the committee values bad losses more than good wins, and one thing we NEED in college softball… rivalry trophies 🏆

Week 9 ACC Softball: Streaks, Sweeps & Bubble Watch

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:15:00 -0400

This week on the pod, we’re diving into one of the most telling weekends of ACC softball yet—and what the numbers (and film 👀) are revealing about the teams separating themselves down the stretch.

We start with a bigger-picture takeaway: the evolution of the game. From high-leverage arms like Jazzy Francik, Cassidy Curd, and Gwen Sparks getting it done in short outings, to why “less is more” might be the new pitching model in college softball.

Then it’s time to talk about the hottest team in the country—Florida State. The Noles extend their win streak to 24 straight, remain the only undefeated team in Power 4 conference play, and continue to dominate with elite offensive depth and lockdown defense. We break down what’s clicking, the emergence of their pitching staff, and why this team looks like a true title contender.

Over in Durham… OK Duke 👀. Duke sweeps Virginia and shows off serious depth—rotating 14+ players and multiple arms each game. Did they just find their pitching answer in KK Mathis?! And is Cassidy Curd settling into the closer role at the perfect time?

On the flip side, we unpack Virginia’s pitching decisions and what continues to hold them back despite a strong season—and why their upcoming series against Virginia Tech could define hosting hopes for possibly BOTH teams.

Speaking of the Hokies, we break down their series win over Clemson, their offensive firepower (every starter over .300 🤯), and why their ability to adjust mid-game stands out. But with just two primary arms, can they hold up in the postseason?

Plus:

– Clemson’s question: can they win without Sierra Maness in the circle?

– Louisville making noise (and Chelsea Mack being an absolute nightmare on the bases)

– Stanford getting a key arm back just in time for FSU 👀 – UNC, Georgia Tech, and the ever

-chaotic bubble watch

And of course… we close it out with a little BS or NO BS: Should extra-inning Game 3s go to an international tiebreaker, if there is a drop dead time? Adding a new play/situation to the video review list?! Numbers, film, big takes, and a whole lot of softball—let’s get into it. 🥎🔥

ACC Softball Week 8: 21 Straight, 17-14 Chaos & a Statement Sweep

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

This week, we dive headfirst into the postseason picture with some telling bracketology trends—what it really takes to make the NCAA Tournament, host a regional, and why RPI might still rule everything.

Then it’s all about the ACC’s hottest team: Florida State is on an absolute tear. The Seminoles extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 21, sweep Clemson, and look like a legitimate Top 8 seed. We break down what’s clicking—from their elite defense to the dominance of Isa Torres, who is putting together one of the best offensive seasons we’ve ever seen.

On the flip side, Clemson shows flashes but continues to battle inconsistency, especially in the circle. Is pitching depth the biggest issue in the sport right now?

We also unpack one of the wildest series of the season—Duke vs. Stanford. A 17-14 game, eight home runs, and a six-run comeback capped by a walk-off bomb? Yeah… we’ve got a lot to say. Plus, is Duke’s offense good enough to carry them into a hosting spot?

Virginia continues to win—but the real test starts now. Virginia Tech is quietly dominating (are they the clear No. 2 in the ACC?), and Louisville proves once again they might be the scrappiest team in the country.

We’ve also got concerns about North Carolina, big questions for Georgia Tech, and what feels like a make-or-break stretch ahead for several teams.

To close it out: BS or No BS (color rush uniforms, drop-dead time drama, and more), shoutouts to Lonni Alameda’s 1,000th win and other major milestones, plus our weekend Pick ‘Em slate.

Buckle up—things are starting to separate in the ACC, and the road to postseason is getting real.

ACC Softball Week 7: Wait…What Just Happened?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Florida State is on an absolute tear, and we’re breaking down why the Seminoles might be the hottest team in the country. From a dominant sweep of Cal to historic numbers from Isa Torres—seriously, what she’s doing at the plate doesn’t even feel real—we dive into the stars, the streaks, and the depth powering FSU’s 17-game win streak.

Then… Duke vs. Georgia Tech delivered CHAOS. We’re talking 9 home runs in one game, extra innings drama, and two one-run thrillers. Is Duke starting to figure it out? And how close is Georgia Tech to breaking through into that next tier? Clemson takes the series over Notre Dame… but not without some serious questions. A run-rule loss sandwiched between two complete-game wins?

Yeah, we’re trying to figure out if Clemson is the most confusing team in college softball right now.

Stanford stuns UNC with a sweep in Chapel Hill, and we’ve got thoughts—on pitching struggles, postseason concerns, and one of the wildest substitution sequences you’ll ever hear about.

Plus, Virginia Tech handles business at home, big-time individual performances across the ACC, milestone moments, and what to watch for in a loaded week ahead.

ACC Softball Week 6 Weekend: Proof or Problem?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

ACC play is heating up—and this week delivered everything: statement wins, tight series, rising stars, and a few questions that still need answers.

On this episode, Alex Powers and Brittany McKinney break down a huge weekend across the conference, highlighted by Duke’s gritty series win over Virginia Tech, proving they can win big without leaning entirely on Cassidy Curd. The Hokies continue to swing it, but missed opportunities at the plate and free passes in the circle made the difference.

Virginia takes a big series over Georgia Tech in extra-inning battles that showcased their depth and resilience, while Notre Dame makes a statement by taking the series from Stanford behind elite pitching and a red-hot freshman class.

Florida State stays perfect in ACC play, powered by the absurd production of Isa Torres—who is making a case as the toughest out in the country—while North Carolina continues its historic offensive run, homering in 23 straight games.

Plus, we dive into teams that are so close (looking at you, Georgia Tech), standout performances across the league, and what these results actually tell us about the ACC landscape moving forward.

And to wrap it up, we bring back “Hot Takes: BS or No BS,” debating everything from travel ball habits carrying over to college, to what really counts as “swag” in the game—and why conference narratives don’t always add up.

Week 6- Explosive Offenses Across the ACC

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Another weekend of ACC softball brought explosive offenses, dominant pitching performances, and some wild series results across the conference. Duke swept Cal while outscoring them 23–3, highlighted by Cass Curd’s no-hitter and another complete game performance in the circle as the Blue Devils continue their remarkable run, winning nine of their last ten ACC series dating back to 2024.

Stanford handled Pitt behind a strong showing from its pitching staff, including an incredible weekend from Prystiko, who recorded two wins, a save and 24 strikeouts in 9.2 hitless innings while the Cardinal offense continued to produce, scoring seven or more runs for the 12th time this season.

UNC and Virginia delivered one of the most entertaining series of the weekend, featuring extra-inning battles and huge offensive performances. Emily LeGette stole the spotlight with a three-home-run game including a walk-off, continuing her unbelievable season, while Sanaa Thompson continues to prove she’s one of the toughest outs in the conference. Virginia showed constant fight throughout the series, with key contributions from Jaiden Griffith, Bella Cabral, Jade Hylton and Macee Eaton.

Clemson’s weekend included Abby Dunning throwing the program’s first no-hitter since 2023 in a 1–0 game and a Corri Hicks walk-off against Georgia Tech, while Florida State’s offense exploded for historic numbers, including a school-record 22-hit game and a historic 6-for-6 performance from Isa Torres in her return to the lineup.

Virginia Tech extended its winning streak to 14 games behind a power surge at the plate, while NC State continued its historic run with 15 straight wins, the longest streak in program history.

ACC Softball is Here: And its already messy

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This week on @UpTheCoastACC dive deep into ACC softball as conference play heats up, breaking down some of the biggest storylines, surprises, and concerns from the opening weeks of the season.

We kick things off with Louisville, who continues to impress at 19-4. The Cardinals are playing fast, aggressive, and downright annoying softball — exactly the way you need to play to compete in the ACC. Bree Despines, Camryn Luckadoo, Chelsea Mack, and Taylor Monroe are driving an offense that's hard to slow down, and the pitching depth with Anna Wise, Alyssa Zabala, Madi Reeves, and Jayden Gohs has this program looking like a legitimate postseason contender.

But their series win also came with a front-row seat to a Stanford meltdown? — and we are not holding back. An 8.11 ERA, 19 walks, a 42% first-pitch strike rate, defensive miscues that don't even show up in the error column, and some of the most painful game management you'll ever watch. Three-hour, seven-inning games. Defensive shuffles every other inning. We break it all down.

Georgia Tech, who swept Notre Dame and looks like a different program from a year ago. Madalyn Johnson has been a fantastic portal addition, Reece Hunter has reinvented herself at the plate, and transfers and sophomores alike are putting up career-best numbers across the board. The Jackets are for real — but the strikeouts and pitching depth behind Johnson are worth watching.

UNC got a wake-up call this weekend. Walking off in Games 1 and 2 against a 6-12 Boston College team looked good on paper — until BC dominated Sunday 10-2 and exposed some real questions in the circle and at the plate. Playing cupcakes in the preseason has consequences, and the Tar Heels may be feeling that now.

Virginia keeps finding ways to win. Seven games in five days, a three-run deficit erased in the final inning on Sunday, and the bottom of the lineup delivering when it mattered most. This is a gritty, team-first program that deserves more attention.

Clemson is a mystery. Capable of beating Georgia and Mississippi State, but also capable of losing to Georgia Southern. The power numbers are way down, Abby Dunning is banged up, and the vibes feel off. Sierra Maness is legit, but this team needs to figure itself out fast with a third of the season already gone.

Virginia Tech may have found the missing piece. Sophomore Bree Carrico didn't even play last year — and now she's 4-0 with wins over Georgia and Auburn, a 1.62 ERA, and 45 strikeouts in under 35 innings. The Hokies have always had the offense to make a WCWS run. If Carrico is for real, the pitching depth is finally there too.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the ACC Week

14:25 UNC's Performance Against Boston College

18:40 Georgia Tech's Improvement and Notre Dame's Struggles

27:17 Virginia's Grit: Overcoming Challenges

31:59 Clemson's Roller Coaster Performance

36:34 Florida State's Resilience Amid Injuries

42:06 Duke's Tough Schedule and Recovery

46:41 Milestones and Achievements

56:17 BS or No BS: Controversial Topics in Softball

01:01:23 Upcoming Series Predictions

ACC Softball Week 3: What we know, what we learned and where to go from here

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400

This episode covers the early season of college softball, focusing on team performances, tournament insights, and upcoming matchups. Hosts Alex and Britt analyze key teams like Stanford, Duke, Virginia Tech, and Virginia, sharing expert opinions and predictions. Alex and Britt talk about who they are high on, cautiously optimistic and who needs to find some answers.

Hot Starts and Question Marks: Where ACC softball stands after week 2

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Up the Coast with Alex and Britt, the hosts dive into the highlights of the 2026 softball season's second week, focusing on the Clearwater tournament, team performances, and standout players. They discuss the impressive youth of Florida State, Duke's competitive edge, Stanford's challenges, Clemson's struggles, Virginia Tech's rollercoaster week, and North Carolina's undefeated streak. The conversation also touches on the national landscape, including Tennessee's strong showing and the dynamics of Texas Tech's roster. The episode concludes with a segment on controversial topics in the sport, including the need for video replay in marquee tournaments.riverside britt & up feb 16, 2026 001 acc tourney recap

Takeaways

Winning is hard; only seven teams remain undefeated.

Florida State's youth is impressive, showcasing talent.

Duke's athleticism is a key factor in their performance.

Stanford faced challenges but showed resilience.

Clemson is still finding its identity this season.

Virginia Tech had a tough week after strong performances.

Virginia is taking care of business with a solid record.

North Carolina is swinging the bat well, leading in stats.

Tennessee looks strong and is expected to be number one.

Opening Statements Made: Week 1 in the ACC

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Up The Coast with Alex and Britt, the hosts recap the thrilling opening weekend of the softball season, discuss the recent Super Bowl, and share personal anecdotes about their weekend activities. They dive into the performances of top teams in the ACC, including Duke, Virginia Tech, Stanford, and Florida State, while also analyzing the challenges faced by Clemson and the surprising resilience of Virginia. The episode concludes with a segment on upcoming matchups and a light-hearted discussion on softball rules.

Takeaways

Best opening weekend I can remember.

Sourdough is a journey, just like the softball season.

Duke has so much speed and experience.

Virginia Tech is balanced

Virginia surprises us in a really good way.

Florida State scored in the first inning in three of their five games.

Does Clemson needs to be worried after losing to Auburn and Michigan State

The rest of the ACC needs to level up after Stanford's new stadium.

Pittsburgh's upset victory was awesome

Upcoming matchups promise exciting softball action.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Weekend Highlights

02:52 Super Bowl Reflections and Personal Anecdotes

05:36 Softball Season Insights and Team Performances

08:34 Duke's Competitive Edge and Player Highlights

11:10 Virginia Tech's New Dynamics and Performance

15:08 Virginia's Resilience and Surprising Performances

20:47 Florida State's Strong Start and Future Prospects

21:23 Florida State's Rising Stars

28:14 Clemson's Early Season Challenges

31:13 Assessing the Impact of New Facilities

33:45 BS or No BS w/ AP

35:09 Upcoming Matchups

2026 ACC Softball Preseason Outlook

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0400

In this episode of Up the Coast with Alex and Britt, the hosts celebrate the return of the softball season, reflecting on the previous year's highlights and discussing expectations for the upcoming 2026 season. They delve into the performances of various teams in the ACC, including Clemson, Duke, FSU and Virginia Tech, while also addressing the challenges faced by each team. The conversation touches on the impact of new leadership at Cal and the significance of preseason predictions. The hosts engage in a fun segment called 'BS or No BS,' where they analyze current storylines in the softball world, emphasizing the importance of every game in the lead-up to the Women's College World Series.

ACC Tourney Recap & Looking Ahead to Selection Show

Sun, 11 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Up The Coast with Alex & Britt, the hosts recap the thrilling ACC Championship, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament, standout performances, and key moments from each game. They discuss the implications of the results for the NCAA tournament selection, predicting a record number of teams from the ACC to qualify. The conversation covers the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and championship game, providing insights into team strategies and player performances.

takeaways

The ACC Championship showcased the depth and competitiveness of the league.

Georgia Tech's victory over Cal was a significant statement for the selection committee.

Clemson's comeback win against Virginia Tech highlighted their resilience.

Florida State's consistent performance positions them as a top contender.

Duke's strong showing against Stanford demonstrated their potential.

Clemson's journey from a rough start to championship victory is remarkable.

The weather conditions impacted gameplay during the tournament.

The selection show is crucial for teams like Georgia Tech and UNC.

Florida State's pitching depth is a key asset for postseason success.

The ACC is expected to send a record number of teams to the NCAA tournament.

Chaos at the Top: ACC Softball's Final Week + Postseason Projections

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

As we enter the final week of ACC play, the softball chaos is heating up—and we’re breaking it all down. In this jam-packed episode, we look back at a wild weekend full of walk-offs, sweeps, and statement wins. Could a coin flip really decide the #1 seed in the ACC Tournament? We dive into that scenario, plus postseason paths for Virginia, Stanford, Clemson, VT, FSU, and more.

We also hand out our regular-season awards: hear our picks for Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, and Freshman of the Year, in a conference dominated by offense (.308 avg, 800 HRs and counting!).

Segment Highlights:

Virginia vs Stanford thriller: what it means for the ACC bracket
Clemson’s surge & Macy Cintron’s monster week
VT vs Cal recap + previewing the ACC’s biggest series: VT vs FSU
Louisville’s late push, UNC’s quiet sweep, and Duke’s pitching dilemma
Postseason projections for all the major players

Plus, our take on which bubble teams are safe, which squads are dangerous 2-seeds, and why no one wants to see an ACC team in their regional.

Crunch Time in the ACC

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:15:00 -0400

🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe! We’re heading into the most thrilling stretch of the season, and you definitely don’t want to miss what’s happening in ACC softball!

In this episode of Up the Coast, Alex and Britt break down all the latest action as the ACC regular season nears its conclusion. From record-breaking performances to game-changing upsets, they spotlight standout teams and players — including Pitt’s gritty win over Virginia Tech and the buzz around the Big Swing event featuring Stanford vs. Cal.

They also dive into key weekend matchups: Louisville vs. Virginia, UNC vs. NC State, Duke vs. Notre Dame, and Clemson’s impressive run. Plus, they tackle some concerning trends that emerged and what they might mean moving forward.

Looking ahead, the duo makes bold predictions for upcoming series and explores the tantalizing possibility of a historic milestone: could the ACC send nine teams to the NCAA tournament for the first time ever?

With postseason spots, national seeds, and ACC Championship byes all up for grabs, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Buckle up — it’s going to be a wild ride

Series Shake Ups, Rankings, RPI Movement & Series Wins

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Up the Coast, hosts Alex Powers and Britt discuss the current state of the 2025 NCAA softball season, focusing on the ACC. They analyze the RPI standings, highlight key matchups, and delve into the performances of teams like Florida State, Virginia, Clemson, and Duke. The conversation also touches on coaching strategies, the importance of midweek games, and the future of ACC softball, including the announcement of Cal's new stadium.

Florida State and Virginia Tech are leading the ACC standings.

Clemson's surprising performance has established their identity this season.

Duke's offensive explosion showcases their potential for postseason success.

Virginia's competitive edge is attributed to their strong pitching and player development.

The rivalry between Florida State and Florida remains intense and significant.

UNC's struggles highlight the importance of a strong schedule for postseason hopes.

Controversial coaching tactics can impact team reputation and performance.

Virginia Tech's continued consistency is crucial for their postseason hosting aspirations.

Cal's new stadium is a significant development for the program's future.

The upcoming matches are critical for teams vying for postseason positions.

Tough Roads, Sweeps & Clutch Performances: ACC Softball Recap

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Up the Coast, Alex & Britt dive into the latest from ACC softball, including some tough news about Florida State's head coach Lonni Alameda, who is bravely fighting breast cancer while leading her team through the season. We send her all our love and support! We love you Coacha

We break down the latest ACC standings, as FSU remains undefeated in conference play, with impressive sweeps from Florida State and Virginia Tech, and a couple of jaw-dropping moments in the Virginia Tech-Stanford series, including a triple play and a Cori McMillan walk off. The Hokies’ depth continues to shine with 11 hitters recording home runs this season—truly a team effort!

Florida State has been looking like one of the most complete teams in years, with clutch hitting, elite pitching, and some serious bunting skills. Plus, Isa Torres leads the ACC with 62 hits and continues to make waves as one of the top players in the country.

Duke had a strong weekend, sweeping Louisville, with Ana Gold smashing her 6th homer of the season and Dani Drogemuller showing out in the circle. Meanwhile, UNC bounced back from a game 1 loss to Syracuse to win the series, led by ACC’s top hitter Kat Rodriguez, who's also leading the country in RBIs.

We also take a closer look at the ongoing struggles for Virginia as they lost a series to Notre Dame and how tough road trips are proving to be for teams like Cal and Stanford, with travel exhaustion impacting performance.

Get the latest updates on who’s making moves in the ACC and what’s to come in midweek matchups and conference play. Big games are ahead—Florida State vs. Florida, Clemson vs. Stanford, and so much more!

Tune in for all this and more in this packed episode of Up the Coast.

Coach Aileen Morales Talks Georgia Tech Softball, ACC Softball & More!

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this engaging conversation, Coach Morales of Georgia Tech softball discusses the current state of ACC softball, highlighting the competitive nature of the conference and the impressive performance of her team. She reflects on the contributions of young players, team dynamics, and the challenges of coaching in a rapidly evolving sport. The discussion also touches on potential rule changes and the personal aspects of team life, including the fun and challenges of managing a young team.

Key Takeaways

The ACC is experiencing significant growth and competitiveness in softball.

Improving pitching has been a key focus for Georgia Tech.

Defensive consistency is an area for improvement.

Freshman players are making a significant impact on the team.

Coaching strategies must evolve with the changing game.

Team culture is vital for maintaining morale and competitiveness.

The importance of player development and learning from failures.

Rule changes could enhance the game, especially regarding challenges.

ACC Softball Heating Up

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Up the Coast, hosts Alex Powers and Britt dive into the current state of ACC softball as teams navigate through conference play. They discuss the dynamics of competition, highlight standout players and teams, and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various programs. The conversation covers the front runners in the conference, teams that are exceeding expectations, and those that are causing concern, particularly Duke. The hosts also touch on the impressive performances of Florida State and Virginia Tech, the challenges faced by UNC, and the rising talent in Clemson. As they look ahead, they make predictions for upcoming matchups, emphasizing the competitive nature of the ACC.

Takeaways

The ACC is seeing a competitive landscape with several strong teams.

Florida State is currently viewed as the front runner in the conference.

Virginia Tech's pitching, particularly Emma Limley, is a key strength.

Duke's inconsistent performance is raising concerns among analysts.

Clemson's Macy Centrone is emerging as a clutch player.

UNC's offensive depth is a significant issue for their success.

Syracuse's upset against Duke highlights their growing competitiveness.

Cal is exceeding expectations after losing key players from last season.

Virginia's pitching duo of Eden Bigam and Savannah Henley is formidable.

Stanford's strong start in the season is noteworthy.

Sound Bites

"Emma Limley is unhittable when confident."

"Syracuse isn't afraid of anybody."

"Clemson's Macy Centrone is super clutch."

Subscribe and comment!

ACC Play in Full Swing - Breaking Down the Matchups, Thrills & Potential Challenges

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Up the Coast, hosts Alex Powers and Britt dive into the latest happenings in ACC softball, highlighting key performances, team dynamics, and upcoming matchups. They discuss the standout players of the week, the intense series between Duke and Clemson, and the emerging talents from various teams. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by pitchers, the importance of clutch performances, and the overall competitiveness of the ACC this season.

Duke @ Clemson – Game 1 was all about Clemson's explosive offense vs Cassidy Curd, but both Duke & Curd responded on Day 2, with a strong performance in the cirlce. The bottom of the lineup with Jada Baker and Amiah Burgess showing off their big swings. Game 3 was a nail-biter, but Duke pulled it out to win the series behind Dani Drugmueller's arm.

NC State @ Georgia Tech – The Yellow Jackets clinched the series with tight wins in the first two games, while Gracyn Tucker and Reese Hunter came up clutch in dramatic moments. Georgia Tech’s pitching depth continues to shine, and we discuss the impressive walk-off streak they've got going.

Syracuse @ Stanford – Stanford took control with two strong wins early in the series, showcasing their offense and solid pitching. But Syracuse didn't go down without a fight, putting up a good battle, especially in Game 1.

Pittsburgh @ UNC – The Tar Heels took care of business, with Kenna Raye Dark and Britton Rogers leading the charge in the circle. We also discuss former Pitt infielder Kat Rodriguez going off with a monster performance against her former team.

Virginia @ Virginia Tech – A heated in-state rivalry saw Virginia Tech take the first two games, but Virginia bounced back with a solid Game 3 win, showing they’ve got the talent to compete with the best in the ACC.

Florida State Out West – The Seminoles had a mixed weekend in Oregon, picking up two wins but struggling against the University of Oregon’s pitching staff. Despite the losses, FSU’s pitching staff is starting to take shape.

Notre Dame/Louisville – Not the top teams in the ACC this season, but this series was an exciting one, with Louisville claiming the series win in a 14-inning thriller on Sunday.

Cal/BC – Cal sweeps Boston College with an array of pitching combinations. BC’s star pitcher Abby Dunning makes an appearance since being out for over a month.

We also dive into key takeaways from each series and discuss the implications of these results on the ACC standings and NCAA hopes. Don't miss the deep dive into the weekend's biggest performances, emerging storylines, and what’s next for these teams as conference play heats up!

Subscribe now to Up the Coast for all your ACC softball coverage!

From Vision to Reality: Insights w/ Coach Marissa Young

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode we highlight a few matchups from the ACC and standout performances before we sit down with and chat with Coach Marissa Young.

In our conversation, Coach Young reflects on her journey with Duke softball, discussing the team's historic success in reaching the Women's College World Series, the challenges of managing expectations, and the importance of building a strong coaching staff. She emphasizes the value of player development, the impact of transfers, and the significance of instilling a positive culture within the team. Young also shares personal insights on overcoming adversity and the importance of creating lasting memories with her players during road trips.

Learn more about Duke Health Hero for Health here

https://giving.dukehealth.org/

Learn more about organ donation here

https://donatelife.net/

Episode 4- "Clutch Pitching and Hot Offenses: ACC Softball Making Noise Early"

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Up The Coast, your go-to podcast for all things ACC softball, hosted by Alex & Britt! Each week, we break down the biggest moments, top performances, and emerging storylines from the Atlantic Coast Conference. In this episode, Alex & Britt dive into the impressive early-season dominance of teams like Duke, Virginia Tech, and Stanford, as well as explosive performances from Florida State and Syracuse.

We kick things off with Duke’s red-hot start, including a 5-0 run at the Mary Nutter Classic, highlighted by Cass Curd's incredible pitching and a dramatic 1-0 win over #4 UCLA. Then, we look at Virginia Tech’s impressive 4-1 weekend at the Easton Bama Bash, where Emma Lemley’s pitching brilliance and the Hokies' showing they are a complete team.

Florida State’s offensive power and pitching puzzle is analyzed as the Noles aim for consistency, while Stanford is proving they have staying power with a big wins over top-ranked team Texas. We also dive into Syracuse having a legit pitching staff, led by Madison Knight & Lindsey Hendrix and their impressive team ERA, and shout out some standout performances from Louisville’s Chelsea Mack and Clemson’s Julia Knowler.

With midweek matchups like Virginia Tech vs. Liberty and Duke’s 3 game series against undefeated South Carolina, Alex & Britt also preview the upcoming ACC play and look ahead to some of the most exciting games of the season. How will Duke manage their pitching staff in a three-game series against South Carolina? Will Clemson continue to find a way in a midweek vs Georgia? How will Florida State responds to the challenges in their next stretch of games?

Tune in to Up The Coast each week as we take you through all the action and insights of ACC softball, keeping you up to date on the players, the teams, and the incredible moments shaping this season. Whether you’re following the top teams or looking for rising stars, Alex & Britt have all the coverage you need!

Episode 3-ACC Softball in Clearwater & Around The Country: FSU Dominates, Duke Responds & More!

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Up The Coast, your go-to podcast for everything ACC softball, hosted by Alex & Britt! In this action-packed episode, the duo takes you through the highlights of the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, sharing insights on key matchups and results from across both the ACC and SEC. They’ll dive into the top performances of the weekend, the challenges some teams are facing, and the exciting developments as the season continues to unfold.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

Clemson's "Reset Year": Alex & Britt break down Clemson's tough weekend at Clearwater, where they went 1-4. With losses to Missouri, Kentucky, Auburn, and UCF, the team faces growing pains as they rebuild after the departure of key leadership. The conversation focuses on the promising talents of players like Maci Cintron, Alex Brown, and Madi Moore, and how Coach Rittman’s team is looking to reestablish its identity.
Florida State's Dominance: At 8-1 overall, FSU is proving why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. With impressive offensive stats led by Kennedy Harp (.704, 4 HRs) and a stellar pitching staff featuring Annabelle Wee-dra and Jazzy Fransik, Alex & Britt discuss how Lonni Alameda’s squad is clicking on all cylinders and looking primed for another deep postseason run.
Virginia’s Close Calls: The Hoos are 5-5 but could easily be 7-3 after a weekend full of dramatic, close games. The hosts break down Virginia’s key wins, including a walk-off victory over UCLA, and highlight the leadership of Macee Eaton, who leads the team in RBIs despite a .156 average. They also discuss the pitching depth that could be Virginia’s secret weapon as the season progresses.
Duke's Statement Win Over Florida: After a tough loss to Florida, Duke bounced back with a statement 8-1 victory, with Cass Curd shining in the circle. Alex & Britt reflect on the resilience of this Blue Devils team and discuss how key contributors like Jada Baker and Tessa Malau’ulu are driving the offense from the bottom of the lineup.
Virginia Tech’s Perfect Week: Virginia Tech is making waves with back-to-back perfect games from ace Emma Lemly, who continues to dominate in the circle. The duo dives into VT’s stellar start and their early challenges in Baton Rouge, emphasizing how this team is growing stronger with each game and ready for the ACC battle ahead.
Other Teams on the Rise: Alex & Britt also give shout-outs to teams like Stanford (undefeated at 9-0) with a powerhouse offense and Syracuse (9-0) leading the nation in ERA. They also discuss Louisville’s solid start and a big win over #25 FAU.

Plus, we’ll look ahead at exciting upcoming matchups, including:

Stanford vs. Arizona and Texas in Tucson
Duke in the Mary Nutter Classic, taking on Nebraska and UCLA
UNC facing South Carolina
Syracuse’s trip to Athens vs. Georgia
FSU hosting Texas A&M

Episode 2: Opening Weekend Highlights – Key Takeaways, Top Performances, Question Marks & What’s Next!

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 17:00:00 -0400

Week one is officially in the books! Join us as we break down all the key takeaways from the opening weekend of college softball. We’ll discuss the standout performances, early concerns, and what’s ahead for teams in the ACC and beyond.

Highlights include:

Biggest Takeaways: Duke’s strong start led by Cass Curd, a closer look at Duke’s new talent, and Aminah Vega’s being just legit
Best Performances: Notre Dame’s walk-off win against Mizzou, Emma Lemley’s perfect game for Virginia Tech, Florida State’s revenge against Oklahoma State, and Kennedy Harp with a weekend to remember
Early Concerns: Duke’s pitching depth, and how both Florida State and Duke are handling the pressure of high expectations for the season.

We’ll also discuss the top-ranked teams in the NFCA Coaches Poll – #8 FSU, #12 Duke, #17 VT, and #20 Stanford – and dive into each team’s performance this weekend.

Plus, a sneak peek at upcoming matchups that you won’t want to miss, including Duke vs. Florida, Clemson at the Shriners Clearwater Invitational, and Virginia Tech in Baton Rouge.

Tune in for all this and more in Episode 2 of our college softball podcast!

Follow & Subscribe us for more insights and updates on the season ahead!

Questions/Comments/Concerns drop them below or email us at upthecoastpodcast@gmail.com

Alex & Britt

ACC Softball Recap & 2025 Preview: Who’s Gone, Who’s Here, and What’s Next

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 21:45:00 -0400

The 2025 season is upon us, and there’s plenty to talk about in the world of ACC softball. In this episode, Alex & Britt dive deep into the big changes, standout players, and the teams that will shape the conference this year.

Topics Covered:

Graduation Shakes Things Up: ACC lost a ton of talent this offseason. Which teams should be most concerned about losing their big-name players? Alex & Britt discuss which powerhouse teams might face a reality check with the graduation of stars like Claire Davidson (Duke), Valerie Cagle (Clemson), and Kaley Mudge (FSU).
Looking Back at 2024 Storylines: From Duke’s historic WCWS run to Clemson's late-season struggles, Alex & Britt reflect on some of the defining moments of last year’s ACC softball action.
Top 3 Players to Watch: Alex and Britt name their picks for the players who’ll steal the spotlight in 2024. Who’s ready to break out? Who will lead their teams to the next level? Find out their picks.
Sleeper Teams: Every season has a surprise contender. Alex’s sleeper pick? Virginia—don’t sleep on them after their impressive regional run in 2024. Britt’s got her eye on Stanford, despite the loss of star Nija Cannady.
Favorites to Win the ACC: It’s a battle between the usual suspects, but will Duke repeat their dominance or is there a dark horse on the horizon?
Big Matchups to Watch for Opening Weekend: From Duke’s loaded NFCA Leadoff Classic to FSU’s opening clashes in Puerto Vallarta, the hosts give you the rundown on the can’t-miss games to kick off the season.

Plus, both Alex & Britt share what they're most excited about for the 2024 season—whether it’s the rise of fresh talent, the underappreciated players getting their moment in the sun, or just the thrill of another season of ACC softball.

It’s a jam-packed episode that you won’t want to miss if you're a fan of the ACC or college softball in general. Whether you're a diehard fan of Duke, Clemson, or any other team, this episode will get you hyped for the season ahead.

Have questions? Email us at upthecoastpodcast@gmail.com— or leave a comment, we want to hear from YOU!

Tune in now!

Love ya'll,

Alex & Britt

Season 2...We are back!!!

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0400

Did you miss us? Because we definitely missed you! Welcome back to Up the Coast with Alex & Britt – the only podcast that’s all about ACC Softball! Season 2 is here, and we’re ready to crank up the fun, double the laughs, and bring you even more insider stories from the world of college softball.

In this episode, we’re kicking things off with a throwback to Season 1: the highlights, the laughs, and all those epic moments from our first year. We’ll reminisce about our first-ever guests—shoutout to DJP and Joann Graff—and relive those unforgettable interviews with coaches like Marissa Young, Lonni Alameda, Megan Smith-Lyon, and more. Oh, and did we mention Coach Leftwich’s badass shoe collection? Yeah, we’re bringing all the good vibes and behind-the-scenes fun to get you hyped for what’s ahead.

We’ve learned a LOT during the offseason about our tech, platforms, and how to make this podcast even better for you. We couldn’t have done it without all of you listening, so THANK YOU for being a part of this journey.

So, what’s new this season? More guests, more challenges, more juicy stories, and definitely more ACC Softball drama. Tune in as we dive into hot topics like graduation, transfers, and who’s got the best shot at the ACC crown in 2025. Oh, and we’ll be chatting about the big reclass with Stanford and Cal joining the conference—because you KNOW that’s going to shake things up.

Plus, stay tuned for a rapid-fire Q&A segment, where we’ll be answering the toughest questions about ACC Softball—like:

How many ACC teams will make the postseason?
Homeruns or doubles?
Walk-up songs?

And of course, we’ll preview next week’s episode where we break down the top players to watch, sleeper teams, and what we’re most excited about for this season.

So sit back, relax, and buckle up—Season 2 of Up the Coast is officially rolling, and we’re here for all the chaos and fun. Get ready for one wild ride!

Have questions? Email us at upthecoastpodcast@gmail.com— or leave a comment, we want to hear from YOU!

Same podcast, more chaos. Let’s do this!

-Alex & Britt

And then there were 2!

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we dive deep into the action-packed regionals and the performances of Virginia, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Duke. We celebrate Virginia's growth under Joanna Hardin and acknowledge the incredible foundation laid by Clemson's Seniors, highlighting their achievements and pride they should take with them.

As Florida State heads into the challenging Oklahoma super regional, we discuss the obstacles they've already overcome this season and wonder if this is Coach Lonni Alameda's best coaching performance to date.

Can Duke pull off an upset in CoMo? We give a shout-out to all the pitchers on Duke's staff and acknowledge the 'swag' they showcased this past weekend.

Lastly, we extend our congratulations to Coach Gumpf from Notre Dame on her retirement after an impressive 23-year tenure as the head coach of the Fighting Irish.

Tune in for all this and more as we recap the regionals and look forward to the upcoming super regionals!

5 ACC teams in

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Join Britt and Alex for this week's episode of Up the Coast where they discuss the 5 ACC teams competing in Regionals across the country.

Duke and Florida State were both named top 16 seeds and will be hosting the first week of NCAA post season while Virginia makes a trip to Knoxville to play in Tennessee's regional, Clemson travels to Tuscaloosa to play in Alabama's regional and Virginia Tech goes across the country to play in UCLA's regional.

Should be an eventful weekend full of great softball!

"Honest Conversations" Insights with NFCA Hall of Famer & FSU Head Coach Lonni Alameda

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:15:00 -0400

Join us for an insightful episode of Up the Coast as we chat with NFCA Hall of Famer and FSU head coach, Lonni Alameda. Dive into her perspective on culture, player development, and navigating the challenges of high expectations. Coach talks the process of maintaining success, the impact of social media on athletes, and the evolution of softball in the ACC. Coach shares wisdom and lessons she has learned during her remarkable coaching career. This episode is great for not just fans of the game, but for athletes of all ages and coaches who are looking for insight on how to develop players and programs. Tune in for a captivating conversation you won't want to miss!

It's GO Time: ACC softball looking to make a statement late in the season

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to another exciting episode talking ACC Softball on the Up The Coast w/ Alex & Britt podcast! This week, we're diving headfirst into the action-packed world of ACC softball, breaking down all the thrills and spills from the past weekend's series.

Join us as we dissect the big storylines that emerged from the ACC matchups, from stunning upsets to nail-biting finishes. Plus, we'll provide updates on any major injuries that could impact teams moving forward.

Of course, we can't forget to celebrate the standout performances of the week. We'll shine a spotlight on the ACC players who dominated the field, earning themselves well-deserved accolades. And we'll also tip our hats to the national player of the wek who made waves across the softball landscape.

But it's not just about looking back—it's also about looking ahead. We'll analyze what each team needs to do to strengthen their position in the postseason race. With postseason berths on the line, every game counts, and we'll break down the keys to success.

So whether you're a hardcore fan or just tuning in, join us for another jam-packed episode of Up the Coast w/ Alex & Britt. Get ready to immerse yourself in the passion, intensity, and sheer excitement of ACC softball!

"Launching the Legacy: Lindsay Leftwich's Inaugural softball Season with the NC State Wolfpack"

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

An inside look with Lindsay Leftwich, the first-year head coach of the Wolfpack softball team, as she shares her remarkable journey from seasoned assistant to leading her own squad. Join us as we explore Lindsay's strategic approach to assembling the perfect coaching staff, her top priorities upon arrival at NC State, and the invaluable life lessons she's gleaned from the sport she loves. Discover the unwavering pride Lindsay feels for her team's resilience, her initial impressions of competing in the ACC, and yes, even her signature shoe game. Prepare to be captivated by Lindsay's unwavering passion for softball and her relentless dedication to nurturing that same fire within her players.

Mid-Season Checkpoint; EOY Award Projections

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0400

11 views Apr 3, 2024

Quick rundown of scores of the weekend

Clemson vs BC- Clemson 2-1

Duke vs VT - Duke 3-0

UNC vs ND- UNC 2-1

Syracuse vs GT- Syracuse 2-1

Pitt vs Louisville- Louisville 2-1

FSU vs NC State- FSU 3-0

Most surprising outcome of series or game

-Abby Dunning and BC

-GT lost the series at Syracuse

-Duke swept VT

Hot take from this week-

-Abby Dunning is SO GOOD

-There is something going on at Clemson…

-FSU is going to finish strong and host

-Jala Wright PiOY

Jaysoni Beachum Freshman of the Year; ACC & NCAA

Through 33 games-

Hitting .470

6 Ks

7 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR

Starting third baseman for the Noles- 2 errors

Hitting .500 in conference play

-Replays/ challenges; ACC, but also across the country

RPI

-8 Duke

-13 Clemson

-23 VT

-26 FSU

-28 UVA

Looking ahead

-Clemson @ Syracuse

-Pitt @ BC

-Virginia @ Notre Dame

-VT @ NC state

-UNC @ Duke

-Florida State @ Louisville

-GT off from conf-playing 2 games vs Auburn

Returning Home: UNC head coach, Megan Smith Lyon's Journey Back to Her Alma Mater

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:00:00 -0400

The conversation between Alex, Britt, and Coach Megan Smith Lyon paints a vivid picture of the emotional journey she has taken to return to her alma mater and lead the UNC softball program. Her deep respect for Coach Papa and the responsibility she feels in taking over the program are palpable, demonstrating her commitment to upholding the traditions and values of Carolina softball.

Coach Smith Lyon's emphasis on building genuine relationships with her players, seeing them as individuals beyond their roles on the field, speaks volumes about her approach to coaching. By prioritizing personal connections, she fosters a supportive and inclusive team environment where players can thrive both athletically and personally.

The support of Carolina softball alumni further underscores Coach Smith Lyon's impact and legacy within the program. Their backing reflects not only her coaching abilities but also the profound influence she has had on past players, creating a tight-knit community that extends beyond the field.

The offensive success of the team under Coach Smith Lyon's leadership, coupled with Corey Lyon's contributions in building player confidence and individualized coaching, highlights the comprehensive approach taken to elevate the program's performance.

Ultimately, Coach Megan Smith Lyon's return to Chapel Hill symbolizes a homecoming filled with emotion, love, and a deep sense of belonging. Her passion for the university and dedication to its softball program shine through, affirming her as the perfect leader to guide Carolina softball into the future.

Episode 7- Cheers to the ACC

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Episode 7 Week 6 of Season

Duke (22-2, 5-1) v Florida State (18-8, 1-2)

Duke took game 1 on Friday night, 10-5
Florida State responded taking game 2 on Saturday, evening the series
Chess match Sunday- Duke won 9-5 in extras (8) scoring 4 runs in the top of the 8th
This was the first series win against Florida State for Duke
Highlights-
Game 1- Duke came out swinging
Claire Davidson so good…. just a double shy of the cycle on Friday night
HR, 3B, 1B
Jala Wright looked legit in the circle- shut down the Nole offense so well- making them swing at pitches outside of the zone
Game 2- Makenna Reid- best outing I have seen from her… and possibly even a FSU pitcher all season long
questionable pitching change…duke got some momentum and runs
Game 3- Duke leaned into the short game… was beating the Florida State defense with bunt after bunt, ran the bases really well, too, just applying pressure on FSU to have to make the plays

North Carolina (20-7, 2-4) v Clemson (20-6, 4-1)

Cagle not playing this weekend- sick
Clemson won the series opener 5-0
Clemson secured the series, winning game 2… 4-1
Game 3 9-1 (5)
UNC plays with a lot of emotion, and that can be good or bad. They didn’t have much to be excited about and I think they couldn’t find that excitement to try to comeback. Game 3 Pitchers getting pulled//and no high fives in the dugout
Clemson-Alex Brown went off on her former team 5-10 with a couple HR’s. Looking good in that leadoff spot that we are so accustomed to seeing McKenzie Clark in

Notre Dame (16-10, 2-4) v Georgia Tech (19-10, 7-2)

Georgia Tech took game 1 against the Fighting Irish 7-5
Notre Dame came back and won game 6-3, tying the series
Notre Dame took the series on Sunday beating the Yellow Jackets 6-5
Highlights
Game 1- Emma Minghini hit a 2 run HR walk off (2-2 count; 2 outs)
what dreams are made of
Game 2- Karina Gaskins had the clutch 2 RBI double on Saturday to push ND ahead 4-3- they ended up keeping the lead and closing it out to win game 2;
Down 3-0 in T7, literally 1 out away form losing the game. scored 4 runs with 2 outs
Addison Amaral also had a 2 run HR to put ND up by 3 (hitting behind Gaskins) Gaskins only walked one time that game. seeing some protection
Game 3- good back and forth battle throughout the game, some clutch hitting from ND, doubles, 2 run RBI singles… really got the offense going for ND to get the victory. the 4th, 5th & 6th inning were nuts!
Alexis Laudenslager P, for ND really stepped up in the 2 wins. Threw 10 ⅔ innings. Game 2 win, Started in game 3, and Miceala Kastor came in and finished up.
Tough to pitch against GT and they had a nice 1 2 punch in the circle
GT exposed possibly with trouble with change/off speed. I think that wil be a big focus in practice this week for sure.
Mallorie Black for Georgia Tech hit 2 HRs in Sunday’s game 3
Black is now tied for 1st place in the ACC for homeruns
GT faced UGA in midweek-- “you have to detach from the outcome to be invested in the process.” -AMO
they faced Lillli Baccus (UNC transfer) and again looked off balance on change ups

Pitt (8-18, 0-6) v Virginia Tech (24-4-, 9-0)

Hokies won game 1…. 18-0
VT secured the series winning game 2… 8-4
Better fight from Pitt
Game 3 on Sunday…. VT getting the sweep, beating Pitt 9-0, in 5 innings
12 HR’s on the weekend
Mid week game last week- VT loss to Charlotte midweek

Syracuse (13-11, 1-5) v Virginia (17-9, 5-4)

Syracuse beat UVA on Friday 6-1
Madison Knight 7ip, 1 run, 3 hits--hits to only 1 & 2 in the lineup (Hylton and Bella Cabral) no one else could touch her
Virginia came back and evened the series, winning game 2… 2-1
Leah Boggs 2 run HR the difference
Got the win without Bigam in the circle- Julia Cuozzo and Courtney Lane combined in the circle
Virginia won game 3, beating the Orange 7-2
scored 6 runs in first 2 innings
Julia Cuozzo with the w and Bigham came in for last 3 to get the save

NC State (playing in the Garnet & Black Invitational) (18-9, 1-5)

Beat Northwestern 1-0 on Friday
Only 1 h but State, but solo shot by Amanda Hasler was all they needed
Madison Inscoe went the distance for State
got out of some jams, showed toughness on defense. NW left 7 runners on
Beat Michigan State 3-1
Lost to Minnesota on Saturday 14-4
Played South Carolina on Sunday, beat the Gamecocks 4-0
Great response after getting smashed by Minnesota
Madison Inscoe once again threw all 7, 2h, 1k, 0BB--solid defense
scored 1 run t1 and then added insurance top 7
Highlights
2nd top 25 win this season
3rd ranked road win in program history
4th shutout of the season
Amanda Hasler tallied her 8th bomb of the season

Boston College (playing in the Eagle Round Robin tourney) (17-8, 1-2)

Beat Holy Cross on Friday 3-2
Beat Iona 3-0 on Saturday
Beat Iona again on Sunday 9-1 in 5 innings
and beat Quinnipiac on Sunday 5-0
Highlights
Abby Dunning threw a complete game no hitter, 1 BB, 7 Ks
Dunning also reached the 300 strikeout mark

Louisville

Played South Dakota on Thursday, won 8-5
Played Illinois on Friday- lost 6-0
Louisville beat Michigan on Saturday, 12-4, run ruling them in 5
Played Illinois again on Sunday… beat them 5-4
great job making adjustments getting to play them again, hard fought game
Highlights-
Late inning runs pushed the cardinals to a win on Thursday night
Clutch BIG swings…. bases clearing triple by Paige Geraghty, HRs by Gabby Holloway (a couple) and Riley Frizell helping the Cards secure their wins all weekend
Daisey Hess (5th year), Chelsea Mack (soph/Kentucky), Riley Frizzel (Senior/MIzzou), Paige Geraghty (Junior/played fresh yr at auburn)--all having solid seasons at the plate

RPI

#6 Clemson ( prev 11)

#13 VT (5)

#19 Duke (23)

#23 FSU (24)

#36 Louisville (42)

#46 NC State (60)

Looking ahead

SC @ Clemson- Wednesday

Texas @ Florida State Wednesday on the network

VT @ Alabama - friday

ACC Matchups

Syracuse at BC

NC State at ND

GT at UNC

Clemson at UVA

Duke at Louisville

FSU at Pitt

Episode 6- ACC softball starting to take shape

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

ACC in RPI

VT- 5 SOS 7

Clemson 14 SOS 16

Duke- 20 SOS 136

FSU- 25

UVA- 40

UL-41

GT 42

NC St- 57

ND-61

UNC- 68

Virginia Tech (18-3-1, 6-0) vs Louisville (16-8, 0-3)

VT #3 in country with 44 HR’s

Swept Louisville IN Louisville
Louisville coming off of an impressive W vs Arizona on Tuesday of last week
5-3 victory, couple HR’s from Vanessa Miller and Bailee Richardson
Alyssa Zabala went 7 complete, scattered 3 runs, 5 k’s, 11GB’s

Game 1 (DH on Saturday)

VT 11-1
Lindsay Grein in the circle, just 1 hit 0 ER in 5IP
Alyssa Zabala (10-2) only made it 1.2 IP…
Surprising no HR’s or xtra base hits w/ 11 hits, showing VT can win in other ways

Game 2 10 innings! -- crazy how same teams can play, same day, and turn around and a completely diff game

5-2 VT
All VT runs were from HR’s
solos by Bre Peck, Emma Ritter & 3run shot by Cori McMillan in top 10th to go ahead
Mazzarone started- 5.1 IP, 4h, 2 r (none earned)
Lemley in relief went 4.2-- 0 ER, 0 BB & 11 K’s
Louisville didn’t score an earned run on the day, putting pressure on defense to make mistakes, but have to find some ownership of scoring their own runs
VT committed 2 errors in each game

Game 3

4-3 VT
Late inning comeback run from Louisville, cut short
Scored all 3 ER’s off Lemly in her relief in the 6&7th but still came up one run short
VT threw Grein, Mazzarone and Lemley
Huge advantage to be able to pitch by committee in game 3

UNC (19-4, 2-1) vs Virginia (15-7, 3-3)

UNC’s Sanaa Thompson .557 and Alex Coleman .556 #1 in country in BA
.400 team BA is #2 in country behind Texas at .401
#1 in country in SB at 75 (2nd place is IU at 62)
Virginia’s Madison Harris is #4 in the country in ERA with a .31 earned run average

Game 1, 0-3 Virginia

Eden Bigham continues to show us she is the real deal
7IP, 3BB, 6K’s 0 runs, against the top offensive team coming into the weekend
UVA offense same names leading the way Jade Hylton and Leah Boggs

Game 2, 4-1 UNC (DH)

Alex Coleman, Sanaa Thompson and Abby Settlemyer with multi hit games
Lead off Coleman, as she goes this team goes.
UVA pitch by committee
UNC’s Kenna Raye Dark, faced just 3 above the minimum-- not overpowering, no strikeouts or walks--she lets teams put it in play and if defense is solid behind her she can put her team in a position to win.

Game 3 (DH) 6-1

UNC’s offense opened up- Alex Colman 2-3, HR’s by Sanna Thompson and Autumn Owen
Eden Bigham did get the start, gave up 6 BB’s
Britton Rogers looked solid for UNC, i think fatigue started to be an issues in late innings saw BB’s go up and had to be relieved in the 7th

UNC’s defense looked solid

NC State (14-8, 1-5) vs GT (18-7, 6-0)

-GT #2 in country with 48 HR’s

-Matched last season's HR total (48 HR’s in 53 games), current 48 HR’s in 25 games.

-GT didn’t commit an error on the weekend

-T3 in country in double plays with 15- defense secures championships

Game 1, 4-1 GT 11 innings

GT Sophia Voyles looked great in the circle
No hitter until the 7th, and Taylor Ensley hit solo shot to tie it
GT defense was big this game, 0 errors, closing doors of potential rallies
NC State 4 errors
Inscoe and Weixleman held their own in the circle, but the depth of the pitching is concerning
But both teams showed fight

Game 2 , 8-1, GT

Mal Black 5 rbi, including a Grand Slam
Neleman and Dennis combine for 1 run, 2 hits -- We like this combo

Game 3, 10-2, 5inn GT

GT timely hitting- 6 players with RBI’s, 4 with 2 RBIs
Sophia Voyles started, only made through 2 innings- gave up 2 runs
Chandler Dennis coming in relief again, 1h 0 runs--looking really good in this relief role

Clemson (17-6) had Tenn (L), and a DH with Minnesota this week (split w/ Minn), W’s vs Mercer, Longwood, Fordham

Vs Tenn, 1-2

Cagle went 9 IP, 10 k’s,
9th inning 2 out BB and then a double for Tenn to take the lead
Clemson left 7 runners on
Depth on Clemson, no pinch hitters and DH JoJo Hyatt had only gotten 1 hit on the season coming into this game (1-23)
3rd time Clemson has lost by 1 run to Tenn

Vs Minn split - G1, 3-5 (9inning) G2, 3-1

My big take away…is Clemson pressing, example-
Game 1, Bottom of 9th down by 2 w/ runner on 1st and 1 out
Clark tries to sneaky bunt her way on and is thrown out
Game 2, - bottom of 7th, runner on, 1 out
Clark hits walk off HR
Go on to W 3 more outsourcing opponents 28-3

Duke 2 (19-1, 3-0) wins vs Elon & SDSU DH

Still only the 1 loss of the year, coming in their 1st game this season vs Oklahoma
14 shutouts on the season, has not allowed a single run in the month of march
159-15, .73 ERA, .980 field %,
Jala Wright #5 in country w/ .32 ERA
Cassidy Curd still #3 in the country for strikeouts per 7 innings- 11.7
Team ERA .73 top in the country
.359 BA 5th in country
.980 field % 11th in country/top in ACC

FSU (15-5)

4-1 on the weekend, 2 W’s over Purdue, W Michigan and FGCU
Amaya Ross is #4 in the country for runs scored per game with 1.45
Playing from behind
Vs Purdue, Purdue put 3 runs T1
Down 3-0 until scoring 1 in the 6th in Loss vs FGCU
Vs Purdue, down 6-1 after 1st (went on to score 15 runs and win 15-9)
Vs FGCU down 4-0 after 1st (went on to score 13 and win 13-6)
From this past weekend- team #s
Makenna Reid- 2-0 on the weekend in Fort Myers
18 for 19 on stolen bases
Finding ways to get in scoring position other than by hits…
Always been a solid base running team
10 HRs on the weekend
43 runs scored
Royalty leads team in IP with 37.1 and has given up 21 runs but only 11 earned
FSU pitching by the numbers…. Team totals
FSU- 130IP, 125 H, 90 R, 61 BBs, 100 Ks
Duke- 125IP, 66 H, 15 R, 29 BBs, 149 Ks
Duke has given up ½ the amount of hits, ⅙ the amount of runs, and ½ the amount of BBs, while having…. 50% ?? more strikeouts than FSU
Clemson (3 more games played than the others)- 157 IP, 139 H, 58 Rs, 35 BBs, 140 Ks
Clemson has also given up a lot of hits, almost 1 hit an inning but has given up ½ the runs and ½ the walks while adding another 40% more strikeouts than FSU

Pitt (8-14)

Also played in the FGCU tournament alongside Florida State but the two teams did not play against each other
Lost to Purdue, lost to Western Michigan on Friday; came back to win against both of those teams on Saturday, then lost to FGCU on Sunday
Looking for consistency
Cameron Compson- 3 for 3 with 3 HRs against Purdue
Grandslam, 1 run HR, 2 run HR (7RBI)

Syracuse

Last played against Duke on March 3; played 8 days later against Le Moyne & Norfolk state (yesterday) and run ruled both, also play another double header today against Norfolk State and Quinnipiac
Interesting scheduling
Rebecca Clyde looking good for the Orange; a couple HRs and several RBIs yesterday
Taylor Posner also with a long ball and a few RBI on a timely single late in the game put the run rule into effect…
Syracuse outscored opponents 20-1 in the first 2 games of their tournament in Norfolk

A lot of scheduling mishaps for the Eagles last week, 3 of their games ended up getting canceled, they beat George Washington University on Tuesday
Split with Maryland, lost game 2 in extras
Good showing against B1G
Abby Dunning still showing off in the circle
Nicole Giery looking good for BC offense

Karina Gaskins holds the top spot for on base percentage in the country with a .654 percentage of getting on base
ACC holds 3 of the 5 top spots for OBP
Karina Gaskins makes Notre Dame history with the most walks in a career with 121, also hit a HR this weekend
30 bbs this season for Gaskins, the next highest on the team is 10 (Kronenberger)
Went 4 and 1 on the weekend in West Virginia
Beat Indiana State twice, Marshall, and Ball State and also lost a game to Ball State
Jane Kronenberger hit a few HRs on the weekend
Addison Amaral had some timely hits as well on the weekend securing a run rule against Ball State

Looking ahead

Midweeks

Wednesday
FSU vs Bama
GT @ Georgia

Conference

Duke @ FSU
UNC @ Clemson
ND @ GT
Syracuse @ Virginia
Pitt @ VT
BC, Louisville, NC State OOC

Duke Head Coach Marissa Young

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:45:00 -0400

We are excited and honored to have Duke Softball head coach Marissa Young, joining us. Coach Young was a former 3x All American pitcher at the University of Michigan, big 10 Pitcher of the year and Big10 Player of the year.. No stranger to success as a player she has now found that success as a head coach. In July 2015, coach young was named the 1st head coach of Duke softball and tasked with building the first ever softball program at Duke. The inaugural season was 2018, and after just 2 complete seasons Duke secures first ACC championship in 2021 and makes first postseason (named ACC coach of year), and then continues to take the next step each year ( 2022 first super regional, 2023 hosted super regionals).

What we talk about...

1. Coach Young talks her goals when she stepped foot on campus, and how they have continued to achieve new levels of success each year.

2. Coach Young talks building and maintaining a team that can literally do it all consistently at a high level.

1 loss (to OU) , outscoring opponents 159-15,14 shutouts, .73 ERA, .980 field %,

Duke can pitch, hit, field & baserun at an elite level.

3. Coach Young speaks on the this teams identity.

4. Additions of new coaches

5. Discussion on Jala Wright's senior campaign & confidence

Jala Wright-

43.2 IP, .32 ERA, 57K’s, 6BB, 2 runs!

2 xs ACC pitcher of the week

6. This senior class

Returning the core of the team from last season, Coach discusses the impact that the seniors- (Kelly Torres, Claire Davidson, Francesca Frelick, Jala Wright, Lillie Walker, Sarah Godard, Dani Drugmueller) have had on the program

7. Focus in practice this week w/ Liberty and FSU coming up

8. Hosting ACC Tournament & new scoreboard

9. Keepin it going

Epidsode 5- RPI, Rain & Opening weekend of ACC play!

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:00:00 -0400

Episode 5- Opening weekend of ACC Conference Play

First week of ACC MatchUps

Reminder: not EVERY team played conference this weekend, some are still trying to get a few more out of conference games in on their schedule

1st RPI of the season was released!

Rating Percentage Index

Different than rankings you have been seeing each week

RPI is a mathematical formula that takes in to consideration:

Winning percentage

Strength of schedule (opponents winning percentage)

Opponents strength of schedule

This is a major tool that the selection committee uses to seed teams in postseason

Desired changes to RPI?

come selection show you want to be in top 40

Conference RPI

1. SEC 2. PAC12 3. BIG 12 4. ACC 5. AAC 6. BIG10

Team RPI

#6 Clemson

#11 VT

#20 Duke-

#30 FSU

#32 NC State

#35 Virginia-

Mid-week updates

Clemson fell to UGA (#5 / #3) 2-1 on Wednesday night last week

11 Clemson players getting playing time

16 Bulldogs getting in the lineup

3 UGA pitchers used (all averaging about 2 innings) - could depth be what allowed Georgia to win?

13 LOB for Clemson vs Georgia

ACC Play-

Strategy

Information

Execution

-Duke vs Syracuse- at Duke Softball Stadium

DH Saturday- 3 GAMES IN 24 HOURS; thoughts on playing double headers?

Duke won the first two games 7-0; 6-0

Jala Wright reaches career milestone- 300 career strikeouts

2-0 on the weekend, 10 innings pitched

Shut out sweep of Syracuse

5 diff pitchers= 0 runs

0 errors on the weekend

Cassidy Curd #1 in country with K’s per 7 innings w/ 12.5

Clemson vs NC State- at Clemson— did we learn more about Clemson or NC state?!

Clemson drops GAME 1 to NC STATE 6-1

Surprised Cagle didn’t start…

games pushed to DH on Saturday

3 GAMES IN A 24 HOUR TIME SPAN

Game 1 NC State: had short leash on Madison Inscoe in Game 1 of the series… 1 inning and then only 1 batter faced in the second

Alisha Weixlmann came in and closed it out with 6 shutout innings

Weixlmann last year vs Clemson, beat them giving up just 1 hit

Clemson Secured game 2 victory 8-0, Valerie Cagle 5.0ip, 1 h

Game 3

NC state early lead 5-0--Clemson 3 errors in T1

4 Homeruns in Game 3- by 4 different players

Alia Logoleo stays hot… swinging a powerful bat right now

Clemson scored 8 unanswered then NC state responds T3 to take 9-8 lead

Cagle goes 2.1 IP, 9r, 7er, 6h,

-VT vs Notre Dame

VT went on to sweep Notre Dame outsourcing the Irish 29-9

Saturday DH

ANOTHER 3 GAMES PLAYED IN A 24 HOUR TIME SPAN

VT hit 8 HR’s on HR’s DH vs ND. 40 HR’s through 19 games

Fr Emma Mazzarone 0ER, Emma Lemly 0 ER- pitchers looking legit

Sunday

Lindsey Grein w/ the start

VT had timely hitting game 3… Notre Dame actually outhit VT but VT executed when they had runners in scoring position

Maija Louko; pinch hitter, hit a grand slam in the 5th, shutting the door for any other potential comeback for ND

VT #3 in country with 40

ND Karina Gaskins #1 in country with BB/Game 1.5--teams not letting their best player beat them

-GT vs Pitt

GT had their first ever run rule sweep of an ACC opponent in program history

run ruled Pitt in all 3 games of the series; out-scoring Pitt 32-6

11 game winning streak for the Yellow Jackets right now

GT- 43 HR’s… #2 in country- #1 in the power 5 conferences

Madison Dobbins- first player in ACC to reach 30 RBI this season

Mallorie Black- 18 game on base streak… stays consistent

-Virginia vs BC

Virginia lost the 1st game on Friday, came back to get the next two wins..

Game 1 was a pitchers duel

Abby Dunning for BC is legit..her rise ball that runs in to righties is a filthy pitch when it’s on

Bigham (UVA) rise and change were on point

Get this…only 2 hits on the afternoon; between BOTH teams!

Game 2- Virginia used 4 different pitchers..

6 errors between the two teams. BC with 4

Sunday- Virginia won 1-0

Hylton singled to left center, Boggs scored the only run in the game

-Florida State

Trip to Oregon canceled…didn’t play Oregon or Washington

2 wins vs Nicholls on Saturday; first W on Saturday- 5-4

game vs Jacksonville (6-11)- FSU loses 5-6

fell behind 6-2 in 1st

JU scored all 6 runs with 2 outs

4 BB and 2 hits 3 runs for Royalty, Danley comes in

Danley gives up a bases loaded double

-UNC

5-1 on the week; a couple wins against NCCU, Oakland, Rider, Lafayette & Campbell

only gave up 1 run in their 5 victories…

Shut out by Rutgers 4-0

UNC leads the country with a .417 BA- last year they hit .275

71 stolen bases on the year so far, last year they had 70 on the whole year

Louisville-

3 - 3 on the week

played in the South Florida tournament

extra innings win vs Georgia Southern

Louisville- looking for consistency?

Look aheads for this week….

Clemson has Tennessee on Tuesday, March 5; 6pm ET at home

Game time changed to 2pm for weather; Clemson lost 2-1 in 9 inn

Clemson has a DH vs Minnesota on Thursday, March 7th at home

VT and Louisville series this weekend (@ Louisville)

Virginia and UNC series this weekend (@ Chapel Hill)

NC State vs GT (@ Raleigh)

Spring Break tourneys for the rest of the conference

Episode 4- ACC Week 3 GT & NC State Our Sleeper Teams?!

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:30:00 -0400

Welcome to Episode 4 of Up the Coast with Alex & Britt

Duke- the only ACC team with 1 loss
UNC, Louisville & Clemson are next with only 2 losses

National notes: These #s were updated at the end of last week, before games this past weekend

UNC #4 in the country in team batting average- .412 (through Feb 22, 2024)
Duke #9 in the country in lowest ERA 1.02 (through Feb 22, 2024)
Duke (#8), Virginia (#13), UNC (#14) all in the top 15 for best fielding percentage across the country (Feb 22, 2024)
Georgia Tech- LEADING IN HRs after this weekend???!!!! 34

Duke-

Continues their slug fest, beat Michigan State 22-0
2 grand slams, 3 run blast…. SO much power!
14 runs in the bottom of the third of a 22-0 win over Michigan State
Jala had 14ks- career high
Run ruled Villanova 8-0
Total team right now- have it in the circle with Jala leading the way- the bats are on absolute fire
Big inning potential
4 DIFFERENT PLAYERS have hit FIVE grand slams this year

Clemson- back on track?

Exciting games
beat Charlotte midweek
Run rule against Ole Miss- a run rule against any SEC team feels good
Close game- walk off win for Clemson against UCONN
Actually 3 walk off wins?! 2 were run rule walk off’s…**do you count those?!
Mid week at Georgia!!!

Florida State-

Bats continuing to come alive in big moments- a lot of power
Michaela Edenfield 2 walk off wins (back to back games)- one a come from behind 5-4 win against Nicholls and the other a run rule 8-0 win against Nicholls
Pitching still in question
Could the pitching staff be struggling more this year because they don’t have a dominant down ball pitcher? They have historically had at least one pitcher on staff that dominated the lower half of the zone- Lacey Waldrop, Meghan King, Kat Sandercock…. Now- their primary arms are more E to W and up in the zone arms

Virginia Tech-

Emma Lemley still looking good in the circle- pull #s of her game against Dartmouth??
BEAT (#3) GEORGIA on Friday, 5-4
2 RBI pinch hit from Trinity Martin
HOW BIG IS IT TO HAVE HITTERS COME OFF THE BENCH AND COME UP CLUTCH?
HOW HARD IS IT TO BE A PINCH HITTER?!
Lemley rise looked legit, one thing that I noticed..she gets ahead early, even 0-2 and then BB.
Lyndsey Grein big in the circle for VT to close out the game
Lost 5-7 against Georgia on Saturday- not a bad game against a great hitting team in UGA
Was leading the game 3-1 in the bottom of the third
UGA came back in the top of the 4th, VT tied it up in the 4th
Signs of brilliance from VT this weekend…. Should be proud of their performance
Possible X factor- Emma Mazzarone, fr pitcher. very nice change and throws 69/70mph

UNC-

Nikki Harris in the circle looks great
13ks in her 2nd career start, true freshman, too!!
Most K’s for a UNC pitcher in a game since 2019
Loss to Lipscomb 1-0, solo shot in 5th
As a team, just 14 HR’s but have scored 101 runs, stolen 54-59 bases, .508 OB%
Alex Coleman- .619ba, 14-15 SB
6 players hitting over .400
3 hitting over .500

Georgia Tech-

32 runs in 4 games at the Clearwater Tourney
Lost games in Clearwater but the W/L not reflective of how well GT was playing/ hitting
HR’s have come from at least 9 different hitters
Mallorie Black- an absolute killer in the box right now
Neleman- big for the GT pitching staff

NC State-

a sneaky/quiet 12-3 on the year
after losing 3 games in first weekend, they have been rolling
Keep an eye on what they are doing

Louisville-

had two games canceled this weekend in Conway, SC
had the loss to Furman, beat Coastal and Bowling Green
Zabala did not throw against Furman, got CG w vs Coastal and got the W in 2IP 0er vs Bowling green
Concern over depth in the circle

Boston College-

playing close, low scoring games--will be beneficial heading into conf play, just learning how to win those games
Pitching staff lead by Hallie Pappion & Haley Dunning- the entire pitching staff have only giving up 1 HR in 102 IP combined

Pitt-

Loss to OSU 1-0, but played really well against one of the best teams in the country
OSU only scored on a bases loaded BB! Senior pitcher Adriana Romano gave up just 4 hits and 6.2 IP

Virginia-

Looking solid in the circle
Madi Harris ties the UVA career saves record with 9
Eden Bigham sets a career high strikeouts vs Lehigh with 14
struck out the first 12 batters straight to start the game

Notre Dame-

Beat #20 Utah at the Mary Nutter Classic (7-1)
revenge game, ND lost to Utah in clearwater week 1.
Lost to a really good Baylor team on a walk off, had 1 run lead into bottom of 7th
ND had 4 errors that game

Syracuse-

went 2-3 on the weekend in Monroe, LA
Jasso still swinging it, Hendrix good in the circle
Hendrix is 5-0 on the season, rest of the staff combined is 3-6

ACC Play starts this weekend!!

NC State at Clemson
Pitt at GT
BC at UVA
ND at VT

Other big matchups

FSU in Eugene vs Washington, Oregon- CANCELED- FLORIDA STATE looking for games!!
Clemson at Georgia

In The Batter's Box w/ Georgia Tech's Head Coach Aileen Morales

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 21:00:00 -0400

Aileen Morales- Georgia Tech Head Coach

BIO

7th season at GT
Inducted into Georgia Tech HOF in 2020
Previous head coach at Radford, Young Harris

What does it mean to be coaching at your Alma Mater?

27.8% -- Percentage of Georgia Tech softball games that Head Coach Aileen Morales has either played (program record - 265) or coached (300) in: 565 of 2,031 all time games. Was an assistant at GT 2010-2013
Signed the #7 recruit class for 2024

Scheduling

Opened the season with 2 games vs Alabama
Clearwater Tournament
Stanford, LSU, Minnesota, Northwestern (canceled OSU, Tennessee)
Couldn’t get a W, but scored 32 runs!

What have you learned about the team so far this season having faced that level of competition and even in general throughout the first 3 weeks?

Offensive power
In clearwater --- Stanford (7 runs), LSU (8 runs), Minnesota (11 runs), Northwestern (6 runs) (canceled OSU, Tennessee)

Offense across the country is ELITE right now, why do you think that is?

DATA!! Visibility!!

GT Power

Just this week--17 HRs (8 dif players) .498 OB%, Opponent ERA >10
Overall 34 HR’s, .442 OB%, .365 team BA, Opponent ERA >7… #1 in the country!!

New coaching staff

Erin Dixon- pitching from UNCW
Hunter Bunch - hitting
Kelsey Bennett- recent grad from VT
Devon Boland

Any surprises from any athlete so far this year? Exceeding expectations!

Mallorie Black-- is this offensive output a surprise to you?
ACC pow
.476, 7HR,18RBI,
In 1st 3 season, hit 10 HR’s total--has already tied her HR total from last year in just 17 games

Blake Neleman

Has been a workhorse for this program, including this year she has thrown 528 innings -- what has she meant to this team?
Has some more help around her this year, not just her and Chandler Dennis
7 different pitchers have seen work

How has NIL/Transfer Portal effect you and your coaching? Biggest challenges/adaptions

Big Green Egg?!?! Coach NIL deal ;)

Thank you Coach Morales for joining us on Up the Coast with Alex & Britt!

Episode 3- Week 2 ACC Hitter’s Digest

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 07:30:00 -0400

Welcome back to Episode 3 of Up the Coast with Alex & Britt where we dive week 2 of ACC Softball- an absolute hitter’s dream!

RUNS RUNS RUNS..it was an exhausting weekend of watching softball IMO

Is pitching struggling across the country? Are hitters THAT good? Good for the game? Analytics?
2, 30 run games in clearwater
PitchCom and pitch clock not going to help if the game continues in this direction

Concerns for Florida State?

Pitching
Vs Stanford. Combined shutout w/ Royalty and Danley
Beat NiJaree Canady
Vs UCLA, 14 runs, 11BB, 2HBP,
5 pitchers, Danley, Reid, Royalty, Gooden, Wilson
Vs Georgia, 20 runs, 12 BB, 2 HBP
Wilson, Danley, Reid, Balk, Gooden
Could have been worse a 3 run HR was negated for running walking off of 3b early..for no apparent reason/rumor is she did it on purpose to speed up game because of weather. Took HR from freshman
The offensive production SHOULD be enough to win ball games but obviously we see that’s not how it’s playing out
Appreciation for Kat Sandercock

Is Duke the best team in the ACC right now?

One of the few teams in country showing pitching and hitting
Midweek W vs NDSU 18-0
Ana Gold- 2 grand slams; 8 RBI vs. North Dakota State
Kelly Torres- 1 grand slam; 4 RBI vs. North Dakota State
W’s vs Rutgers, FIU & Army
Only given up 8 runs this season
Most runs given up in 1 games is 3 vs Oklahoma & Iowa State
5 shutouts on the season in 9 games
Ana Gold- reaches 100 hits, 100 RBI, 100 runs scored last week (career)

Clemson

In Puerto Vallarta
Big games vs Utah and Auburn canceled- lost to Mississippi State
No tarp, ran out of turface…quality tournament?
Cagle

Virginia Tech

Vs ASU, solid outing from Emma Lemley
Lemley 5in CG, only 2bb and 6 ks
Team hit 2 more HR
Lost in extra innings vs Cal (ACC 2025 preview)
No Lemley, 1 HR from Castine…live and die by the long ball
Run rule loss to Grand Canyon 🥺

UNC

Swinging it
Lead the ACC in team batting average (.415)
Top two hitters in the ACC:
Alex Coleman .682
Carsyn Snead .579
Lost 12-10 in crazy game vs Kentucky
Can swing it
W 2-1 vs UCF
Showed ability to play small ball

Aggressive at the plate, taking big confident swings, look solid offensively
Scored 8 runs against LSU, 7 against Stanford
Mallorie Black- .727 batting average last week
1.968 on base percentage
Defense is big concern for me, not all errors on paper but not clean
11 errors

NC State

Defense looking solid- a couple wins last weekend
Double plays
Sports Center Top 10- Ellie Goins robs a HR (SC #5)

Louisville

Zabala lights out in the circle
Zabala shutout Michigan, a 2-0
Currently 10-1

Current top 5 ranking in ACC?

Alex & Britt rank their top 5 ACC teams

Looking ahead

FSU
Much needed rebuild week? Bring in FIU, Charleston Southern, Nicholls
Clemson
Midweek vs Charlotte
Bring in Ole Miss, UCONN, Miami OH- should win out this week
Duke
Bring in Elon, Villanova, Mich St, Boston U*
VT
Head to athens, includes 2 games vs Georgia (undefeated beat OSU, UCLA and FSU)
Keys for VT to beat UGA
Keep Georgia run production to a minimum- they are absolutely swinging it

Episode 2-Week 1 Overview- Breakdown, Recaps, Look-Aheads ACC Softball

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 22:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to Episode 2 of Up the Coast with Alex & Britt where we dive into opening weekend recaps and week 2 look aheads!

Significant wins-

Duke beats #18 Nebraska

Clemson beat #15 Oregon

Virginia Tech beat #20 Auburn in one game, tied in another game

Big losses-

FSU loses to Charlotte on the season opener

Clemson loses to Mizzou

ACC Players of the Week-

Jala Wright- Pitcher of the Week

Rachel Castine- Player of the Week

FSU- (4-1 on the weekend- upset by Charlotte)

Devyn Flaherty passes 200 career hits and breaks into FSU’s top 25 for career hits

Kalei Harding’s weekend- .527 BA, 3 HRs, 11 RBI

Tied the FSU single game RBI record with 7 in one game

Mimi Gooden- complete game shut out for her FSU debut (freshman)

Isa Torres- freshman, walk off hit (2RBI) against Texas Tech

5 different pitchers threw at least 5 innings.

Thoughts on the pitching staff, Alex? Any need for early concern on MaKenna Reid? Any surprises?

Loss to Charlotte & rebound

Duke (3-1 on the weekend)

Claire Davidson & Jala Wright- All Tournament team in Puerto Vallarta

Big win over Nebraska (6-1)

Nebraska ranked #18

Opening game lost 0-3 to Oklahoma

Cass Curd 3 hits 3 runs..not a great weekend for the sophomore. 8BB in 5IP. Another soph struggling in opening weekend

Jala Wright looked great…Danny Drogemuller with 2 starts.

Duke have a complete pitching staff this year?

Clemson (3-1 on the weekend)

Beat Oregon (#15) 3-2

Alia Logoleo playing a mean third base on opening weekend (moved over for SS transfer Alex Brown)

Millie Thompson and Valerie Cagle both impressive in the circle

Loss to Mizzou…Mizzou looked good beat Utah and Clemson.

Pitch by committee- Brooks McCubbin didn’t make it out of 1st inning. Millie came in for 1.1 IP, Regan Spencer 3 IP, and Cagle final inning

10 LOB

Not too concerned with this loss

Virginia Tech (4-0-1 tied with Auburn in one of the games)

Rachel Castine- career weekend

7 Hits, 4 HRs, 13 RBI, 1.667 SLG

Bri Peck- hit a grand slam in the top of the 7th against #20 Auburn (beat Auburn in first match up 8-1 in 8 innings)

Game is currently listed as a tie since it was only through 6 complete innings

Score became 9-5 with Peck’s Grand Slam

10 HR’s by 5 players

Lemley's line for the weekend cause for concern? I think so..

5.25 ERA, 8 IP, 12 BB, 5k, 7 r, 6ER

Soph Lyndsay Grein picked up the slack though, thats a good sign for VT

Notre Dame (3-2 in opening weekend lost to S Alabama and Utah)

First ever college softball game played on MLB Network- Notre Dame v Iowa

Carli Kloss, Emily Tran and Karina Gaskins led the way at the plate

Pitching is a big ? for me after week 1. Gave up 18 runs and hitters B/avg against .286

Louisville (5-0- played in Fort Myers)

Pitching staff only allowed one run across 5 games

.20 team ERA

Led by Alyssa Zabala, picking up right where she left off

Didn’t play the best competition, 2x Georgetown, LIU, FGCU x2

UNC (4-0 on the weekend)

Britton Rogers- makes her Tar Heel debut and throws a PERFECT GAME (5 innings vs North Carolina A&T)

Went 21 for 22 on stolen base attempts this weekend

Alex Coleman- Jr. Transfer from Marshall went 10 for 15

Only 1 XBH (was a double)

Carsyn Snead

Went 9-13 (0 XBHs)

I'm not sure we can make a judgement on UNC with the competition from opening weekend, but this weekend is going to be insane for UNC

Kentucky, UCF, Texas, Washington, UCLA

Georgia Tech

3-3 on weekend, 2 L’s to Bama 1 L to Villanova

Played good ball against Bama, A would-be seventh inning grand slam from Grace Connelly was robbed at the outfield wall, resulting in a double play to help Alabama close the door

We liked what we saw from Blake Neleman, 5 other pitchers saw action. Neleman will need help in the circle this year, lacked that last season.

Sara Beth Allen (Sr) had a great weekend at plate

Virginia (3-2 on the weekend)

Eden Bigham had a career high 11 strikeouts against UNCG

2 L to S. Carolina

Travel to Tuscaloosa this weekend

Syracuse

Angel Jasso (Sr) not missing a beat

.706, 12-17, 10 RBI (15 RBI all last season),

Lindsey Hendrix (Sr) 2-0, 12 IP 0 runs

NC State

1st win for Lindsay Leftwich vs Missouri State

Going to be a long season i think, def rebuild going on in Raleigh

‘Gentle’ pre conf schedule Elon, Campbell, Iona, Albany..

Boston College (4-1 on the weekend)

Halie Pappion threw a 7 inning no-hitter (2 BBs, 11Ks) sophomore, threw just 19 innings last season…could be a bright spot for BC in circle

BC beat FGCU in 10 innings

Pressure early on in the season, like to see BC put to the test

Pittsburgh

2-2 @ LSU, respectable games vs LSU and 2 wins vs Memphis

1st win for Jenny Allard

Coming up-- Alex in Clearwater? w/ UNC, GT, & FSU

UNC - Kentucky, UCF, Texas, Washington, UCLA

GT - Stanford, LSU, Minnesota, N Western, Tennessee

FSU - Stanford, UCLA, Georgia, Tennessee

Other games to look out for

Clemson in Puerto Vallarta-- Utah, Wichita State, Miss St, Auburn

VT -- ASU & Cal

Episode 1- ACC Softball PreSeason Rundown & Legend Talk

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 22:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Episode 1 of Up the Coast with Alex & Britt!

Opening weekend is here! Butterflies are in full effect for athletes, coaches and fans across the country! We open this episode with our thoughts and experiences of opening weekend as former players.

Florida State #1:

Younger pitching staff, Kat Sandercock graduated

McKenna Reid- Lefty sophomore for the Noles was very impressive in her freshman campaign

Lonni Alameda coaching style- pitching by committee

FSU’s offensive leaders- Michaela Edenfield, Dev Flaherty, Kaley Mudge, Jahni Kerr, Kalei Harding

Clemson #2:

Valerie Cagle- the ACC Star 2023 National Player of the Year award recipient

Surrounded by returners- Alia Logoleo and Mackenzie Clark

Clemson fanbase seems electric!

Duke #2:

Marissa Young as the Head Coach- has done a phenomenal job building the Blue Devil program

Runner up at the ACC Tournament in 2023

Top 8 National Seed in 2023 (#8)

Winning in the “big” games will be crucial for Duke this season

Virgina Tech #3:

They have historically had great pitching

They had 100+ homeruns in 2023- great bats!

Didn’t execute and win the important games, which proved to be the difference makers throughout their season

Emma Lemley in the circle- illegal pitches, NCAA pitching rule changes

Pitching- Step/ Stride Rule Chage:

RULE: “To allow pitchers to disengage from the playing surface during the delivery. The pitcher’s pivot foot could become airborne with one push from the pitcher’s plate. However, pitchers would not be allowed to replant their pivot foot resulting in pushing off from a second point and the pitcher being farther away from the pitcher’s plate.

Britt’s thoughts on the rule change

Alex’s thoughts on the rule change

Notre Dame #4:

Interesting pre-season ranking given how their season played out last year

Hosted ACC Champs, lost the opening round game

Leadership has been a theme for the team heading into the season

Karina Gaskins- 2022 ACC POY

Repeating success is HARD

Louisville #5:

Transfer portal: lost Korbe Otis, Sarah Gordon

Graduated in ‘23: Taylor Roby- Louisville career leader in HR’s

Filling the shoes of last year’s players- dealing with change and finding their identity

Buying into that identity will be crucial for the Cardinals

Having a sense of self- finding a team identity and the importance of it!

University of North Carolina (UNC) #6:

New coaching staff- Donna J. Papa retires

New Head Coach- Megan Smith Lyons- UNC Alum

Autumn Owen- transfer to UNC from Marshall

UNC style of play- competitive, gritty

Georgia Tech #7:

Another interesting ranking, finished ‘23 10th in the ACC

New coaching staff- anxious to see how the team adapts to change

Strength of schedule is solid- opening weekend plays Alabama twice and then heads to Clearwater for the Clearwater Invitational- such a huge tournament and opportunity for GT to get better and see what they’re made of

Virginia #8:

New assistant coaches- Joanna Hardin bringing in new assistants and has had to do this a few times, has done a great job adapting to the changes and keeping the program’s culture at the forefront of her mission

Associate Head Coach- thoughts on the elevation of the position and how it’s relevance is spreading across the country

Retention focus to avoid coaches leaving programs

Syracuse #9:

Alumni as assistant coaches- Sydney O’Hara- was an All- American for the Orange, 2- way player and now able to give back to her program, having experienced it first hand

Syracuse has a great strength of in conference schedule this season- playing VT, Duke, Clemson and Florida State

North Carolina (NC) State #10:

2023 was a DOOZY

Coaching staff was let-go mid season

Director of Ops became the interim head coach, Grad Assistant became the Assistant coach

Respect the Wolfpack’s resiliency

New coaching staff- Lindsay Leftwich named as Head Coach

Boston College #11:

Important to take ownership of their identity to be in the driver’s seat of their wins and successes

Interesting hire of Cody Damon- player development coach and bringing more intelligence to the coaching perspective, not necessarily a softball specific background

Pittsburgh #12:

New coaching staff- Jenny Allard

Previous HC at Harvard, 28 years there- Ivy League’s longest tenured and most winningest coach

Importance of hiring solid assistants

Transferred out: Dani Drogemuller

Interview with Donna Papa and JoAnne Graf- two LEGENDS of the coaching world (a combined 2,805 wins between the two coaches)

History of the ACC and UNC & FSU’s involvement in the conference

Growth of the conference

Additions of teams

Additions of coverage- ACC Network, ESPN broadcasted games

Additions of facilities and amenities added for athletes and fans

The evolution of the student athlete and the sport

Softball being shown on TV

NIL and its impact

Transfer portal and its impact

ACC scope compared nationally amongst other conferences

Cal & Stanford joining the ACC

Changes within the conference

Thank you and closing remarks

Introducing Up The Coast with Alex & Britt

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this introductory episode of Up the Coast with Alex and Britt, you meet your hosts for the 2024 season and of this podcast, as well as learn their purpose for starting the podcast and what you can expect from them all season long.

Brittany McKinney, a UNC Tarheel born and bred, has a lot of experience in the sport as a former player, coach, and analyst. While Brittany played collegiately in Chapel Hill, she also played professionally for several years after. Brittany serves as an analyst for ACC Network and ESPN.

Alex Powers is a Florida State alumni. She bleeds garnet and gold and attests much of who she is as credit to having been a Seminole under Head Coach, Lonni Alameda’s leadership. Alex won 4 ACC Championships, went to the Women’s College World Series twice, was the 2016 ACC Player of the Year and was a 2x NFCA All American while at Florida State. Alex continued her career, playing professionally for 5 seasons after college, retiring in 2021. Alex serves as an analyst on ACC Network, ESPN and ESPN+.

Brittany and Alex walk listeners through what to expect from their weekly podcast including interviews with coaches and players, weekend previews and recaps, and all things ACC softball related. The goal is to give listeners an inside scoop of their favorite programs and give our take on who’s hot and who’s not throughout the duration of the season. We will dive into the nitty gritty, informing listeners of the “who, why and how” teams are doing performing as well as the “what” is making them stand out. We’ll get in depth on areas of improvement that we want to see out of specific programs and further explain some of the things that the teams are doing really well.

Tune in for the 2024 season with the Up the Coast with Alex and Britt to follow full ACC Softball coverage and learn more about your favorite teams and players!

If you have specific requests or ideas that you want to learn more about for specific teams or players, leave your thoughts in the comments below!