In our latest episode, we chat with Danielle Henderson about returning to UMass to become their new Head Coach. Henderson reflects on her playing career at UMass, where she was a three-time All-American, made two WCWS appearances (1997 and 1998), and received the 1999 Honda Sports Award. She also discusses playing for Team USA in the 2000 Summer Olympics and winning Gold, playing for legendary UMass Head Coach Elaine Sortino, and more. Victor Anderson also shares his thoughts on the NPF suspending operations.

In The Circle

Danielle Henderson Talks UMass Softball, Coaching Playing and Winning Gold

 On our latest episode, we chat with Danielle Henderson about returning to UMass to become their new Head Coach. Henderson reflects on her playing career at UMass where she was a three-time All-American, made two WCWS appearances (1997 and 1998), and received the 1999 Honda Sports Award. She also discusses playing for Team USA in the 2000 Summer Olympics and winning Gold, playing for legendary UMass Head Coach Elaine Sortino and more.   Victor also shares his thoughts on the NPF suspending operations.  

New UMass Head Coach Danielle Henderson Joins The Show

In this episode, Eric Lopez and Victor Anderson react to Japan winning the gold medal game over Team USA. The two also talk about what it means for Team USA and Softball in the Olympics moving forward. Also, in the episode, Eric talks with two-time Gold medalist and Liberty head coach Dot Richardson who discussed The gold medal game and Softball being back in the Olympics. She talks about what needs to happen next for the sport at the International level. Richardson also reflected on the 1996 gold medal in Atlanta, Liberty's successful 2021 season, and more.

Dot Richardson Breaks Down Team USA, the Olympics, Future and Liberty Softball

In this edition of In The Circle, Eric Lopez talks with New Arizona assistant coach Lauren Lappin. The two discuss her joining the Wildcats staff, reuniting with Caitlin Lowe, being part of the Olympics in 2008, and seeing Softball back in the Olympics. Also, in the episode, Eric and Victor Anderson preview the USA-Japan Gold Medal game and if a typhoon possibly hitting Japan this week impacted the team.

Lauren Lappin Talks Arizona Softball, Olympics and a Gold Medal Game Preview

In this episode, Eric Lopez and Victor Anderson talk with "Bleavin Softball" Podcast host Jenna Becera about Team USA's 1-0 win over Canada at the Summer Olympics. They talk about positives and negatives for Team USA through the first two games of the Olympics. Also, in the episode, Eric talks with new George Washington Head Coach Chrissy Schoonmaker about taking over the GW program and her journey from a player at South Carolina to her coaching career and more.

Chrissy Schoonmaker Talks George Washington Softball, Olymic Recaps and Thoughts

In this edition of In The Circle, Eric Lopez and Victor Anderson preview the Olympics Softball event. Team USA will play its first game at 11:00 PM ET on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. The two break down each of the six teams and discuss what each will need to do to have a successful tournament. Also, in the episode, Eric talks with NCAA DII National Player of the Year Shanna McBroom of West Texas AM. McBroom talks about her teams' national title run and reflects on her softball career, including what Olympic sport she played growing up before softball?

Tokyo Olympic Softball Preview, Shanna McBroom 2021 NCAA DII National Player of the Year

In this episode, Eric Lopez talks with former Oklahoma pitcher Shannon Saile about the Sooners' run to the National Championship. Saile talks about the upcoming pitching lessons she will be hosting on July 25th. She also discusses her career and how she was late to becoming a pitcher; what she learned from coaches like Patty Gasso, Jen Rocha at OU, and more. Plus, Victor Anderson checks in after calling USSSA-Florida softball games this week.

Shannon Saile Talks Sooner Softball Title, Pitching Clinics, Starting Pitching Later and More

In this episode, Eric Lopez talks with new Fresno State Head Coach Stacy May-Johnson about her journey, playing for legendary Head Coach Gayle Blevins at Iowa, coaching, and more. The dive into her expectations for the Fresno State program. Later in the show, Eric and Victor Anderson discuss J.T. Damico leaving Washington to join Tony Baldwin's staff at Georgia and its ramifications in the coaching community. Also, Chelsea Wilkerson returns to Georgia as the pitching coach. Plus, Megan Langenfeld leaves Oregon and college coaching.

Stacy May-Johnson Talks Fresno State Softball, Coaching Changes Galore in College Softball

In this edition of In The Circle, Eric Lopez talks with Justin's World's Justin McCleod as they break down the big moves so far in the player's transfer portal and the coaching carousel, including lots of new faces in the Mountain West. Eric and Justin also discussed the WCWS beating the CWS in TV Viewership and what softball commentator they see as the future of the sport?

Transfers and Coaches On the Move, Justin McCleod Joins the Show

On this episode of In The Circle, Eric Lopez talks with 3-time National Champion and 3x National Pitcher of Year winner Hanna Hull who chat's about Virginia Wesleyan's championship run in 2021, playing for Brandon Elliott, and her legendary playing career. Also on the episode, Eric and Victor discuss the impact that the new Name Image and Likeness rules will have in college softball. Plus, the guys talk about the Women's College World Series beating College World Series in TV viewership and the latest ride on the coaching carousel.   

Virginia Wesleyan 3x National Champion Hanna Hull Joins The Show

On this edition of In The Circle, we reflect and look back at Tennessee Co-Head Coach Ralph Weekly's career after announcing his retirement last week. Eric talks with Rhiannon Potkey who got the first 1 on 1 interview with Ralph about retiring for KnoxNews.com and shares what went into his decision of retirement. Eric also talks with Vols Softball PBP Voice Brian Rice who discusses the impact Ralph and Karen have had on Tennessee Athletics and more. You also hear from former Vols Madison Shipman and Shannon Doepking plus we play back portions of our interview with the Weeklys' when they appeared on the podcast back in January. 

Tribute to Ralph Weekly

In this edition of In The Circle, Eric Lopez, and Victor Anderson react to the news of Tennessee Co-Head Coach Ralph Weekly announcing his retirement on Wednesday. The guys talk about his legacy and who could be joining Karen Weekly's Vols staff. Also, in the episode, Eric and Victor talk about Georgia's Hire of Tony Baldwin and hear from Baldwin and Georgia Athletic Director Josh Brooks. Eric talks with Texas AM Athletic Hall of Fame inductee and three-time All-American Megan Gibson. The two discuss her upcoming softball camp in College Station for TwelveBaseball.com. Gibson talks about the mental side of softball, her legendary career, and being a 1-2 tandem with Amanda Scarborough. 

Megan Gibson Talks Camp and Career, Ralph Weekly Retires from Tennessee, Georgia Hires Tony Baldwin

In this edition of In The Circle, Eric Lopez talks with New Boise State Head Coach Justin Shults, who discusses what it was about Boise that he knew was the right time to be a head coach. Shults talks about the philosophy he will bring to Boise State and what he has learned from his time at previous stops that prepared him for this opportunity. Also, in the episode, Victor discusses Oddici Alexander joining the USSSA Pride. He also talks about his time at the Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL) this past weekend.

Justin Shults On Being Boise State's New Softball Coach, Oddici Alexander Joins Pride, FGCL Opening Weekend

In this edition of In The Circle, Eric Lopez talks with former Georgia Bulldog great Kristyn Sandberg about Georgia's Head Coach Lu Harris Champer's sudden retirement from Georgia. Sandberg shares some of her stories of Coach Champer and more. Also, in the episode, Victor Anderson plays back clips from former Georgia players Alisa Goler, Megan Wiggins, and Tony Baldwin. Then, one by Gerry Glasco on what it was like working for Champer, we wrap with Lu Harris Champer's clip.

A Look Back at Lu Harris Champer's Georgia Softball Coaching Career

In this episode of In The Circle, Eric Lopez talks with Kenzie Fowler about Arizona Head Coach Mike Candrea, who, after 36 seasons, retired last week. The two also discuss Caitlin Lowe becoming the new Head Coach. Fowler shares some of her memories of Candrea and more. UNLV Head Coach Kristie Fox joins the show and talks about the Candrea retirement and Lowe being named head coach. Fox played for Candrea at Arizona (2004-2007), having won two national titles. We also playback past interviews from Jenny Dalton Hill, Leah Amico O'Brien, Caitlin Lowe, and Taryne Mowatt. Finally, we play back Mike Candrea's interview from his appearance on In The Circle back on September 13th, 2017.

A Salute to Arizona Softball Head Coach Mike Candrea and His Career

Fastpitch News presents In The Circle with Eric Lopez and Victor Anderson. They bring you the latest news, views, previews, & reviews on all things softball from college to the NPF.

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In The Circle

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