Forty-Nine Bucs earn Spring Academic All-SoCon honors

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (June 27, 2016) – The league office announced on Monday that 49 ETSU student-athletes earned spots on the spring 2016 Academic All-Southern Conference team.


ETSU falls to Chattanooga in SoCon Tournament, 6-3; Knoetze named All-Tournament Team

GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 13, 2016) – After the fifth-seeded ETSU softball team erased an early two-run deficit to tie the game at three, sixth-seeded Chattanooga scored three unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning to eliminate ETSU from the SoCon Tournament Friday afternoon in Greensboro by a score of 6-3. The Bucs finish their 2016 season with a record of 20-22 overall, which translates to a .476 winning percentage. It is the program’s highest mark since 2009 (.491).


Weather alters ETSU’s schedule at SoCon Softball Tournament

GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 12, 2016) – Due to severe weather in Greensboro, the ETSU softball team’s next game in the SoCon Tournament against No. 6 Chattanooga has been postponed to Friday.


UNCG edges ETSU, 3-2, in opening round of SoCon Tournament

GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 11, 2016) – Despite a stellar pitching performance from Madison Ogle (Maryville, Tenn.) and a three-hit day by Danielle Knoetze (San Diego, Calif.), the ETSU softball team was edged by No. 4 UNCG in the opening round of the Southern Conference Tournament, 3-2.


Bucs open SoCon Tournament against UNCG Wednesday

GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 10, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will be making its seventh appearance all-time in the SoCon Tournament Wednesday when it takes on No. 4 seed UNCG in Greensboro, N.C. The Bucs, who drew the tournament’s No. 5 seed after finishing 9-9 in SoCon play, and Spartans are scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m.


Tiffany Laughren named to the All-SoCon Freshman Team

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (May 10, 2016) – ETSU softball player Tiffany Laughren (Erwin, Tenn.) was named to the All-SoCon Freshman Team by the league’s coaches the league office announced Tuesday. Laughren joins teammates Cassi Pickett (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Kelsey Smith (Tucson, Ariz.) as Bucs that have earned All-Freshman honors in the past two seasons.


Bucs wrap up regular season with a split at Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 8, 2016) – The ETSU softball team wrapped up its regular season with a split at Chattanooga Sunday afternoon. The Bucs won the first game of the day, 6-3, but dropped game two, 11-3, in five innings. The victory in the day’s first contest was ETSU’s 20th of the season, which clinched its 11th 20-win season in program history.


Bucs blast three home runs to knock off Chattanooga, 6-4

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 7, 2016) – Despite falling behind by three runs early, the ETSU softball team rallied with three home runs en route to 6-4 victory over in-state rival Chattanooga Saturday evening. The win not only evens ETSU’s overall record at 19-19 this spring but it is also the team’s eighth conference victory of the season, which is the most for the program since 2008.


Bucs wrap up regular season with a series at Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 6, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will head out on the road for the final time in the regular season this weekend as it takes on Chattanooga for a three-game series. The series will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday and will wrap up with a doubleheader Sunday, which begins at 1 p.m.


Virginia Tech uses late rally to edge ETSU, 2-0

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 3, 2016) – The ETSU softball team’s pitching staff did not allow any hits through the first six innings of its game Tuesday against Virginia Tech but the Hokies scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to top the Bucs, 2-0.


Bucs set to host Virginia Tech in home finale Tuesday

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 2, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will close its non-conference and home schedules Tuesday with a matchup against ACC foe Virginia Tech at Betty Basler Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.


Bucs fall to Samford on Senior Day

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 1, 2016) – Samford broke out the bats in a big way Sunday as it knocked off the ETSU softball team by a score of 12-0 in five innings. ETSU dips back to the .500 mark with the loss moving to 18-18 on the season.


Bucs gain split against SoCon-leading Samford Saturday

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 30, 2016) – The ETSU softball team split a doubleheader with SoCon-leading Samford Saturday afternoon at Betty Basler Field. The Bucs dropped game one, 4-1, but rebounded to take game two 2-1. The 1-1 mark Saturday moves ETSU’s record to 18-17 this season and 7-7 in conference play.


Softball’s Saturday doubleheader moved up to 11 a.m.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 29, 2016) – Due to inclement weather forecasted in the Tri-Cities region Saturday evening, the ETSU softball team’s doubleheader vs. Samford Saturday has been bumped up to an 11 a.m. start time at Betty Basler Field.


Bucs host league-leading Samford this weekend

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 29, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will host SoCon-leading Samford for three games this weekend at Betty Basler Field. The Bucs and Bulldogs will take part in a doubleheader Saturday and wrap up the three-game set with a single game Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. both days.


Bucs win series finale vs. UNCG, 4-1

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 24, 2016) – After dropping a pair of games to UNCG Saturday, the ETSU softball team bounced back Sunday to pick up a 4-1 win over the Spartans in the series finale. The victory also puts the Bucs’ overall record back above the .500 mark (17-16) and evens their conference record at 6-6.


UNCG takes two from ETSU Saturday

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 23, 2016) – Despite launching three home runs Saturday, the ETSU softball team dropped a pair of games to UNCG. UNCG topped the Bucs in game one by a score of 11-7 and completed the doubleheader sweep with a 10-1 win in game two. The loss dips the Bucs’ record back to the .500 mark at 16-16 overall and 5-6 in conference play.


Bucs return to SoCon action this weekend vs. UNCG

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 22, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will return to conference action this weekend as it takes on UNCG in a three-game series at Betty Basler Field. The Bucs and Spartans will begin the three-game set with a doubleheader Saturday and will wrap up the series with a single game Sunday. Start times for both days are set for 1 p.m.


Bucs break out the bats in a doubleheader sweep over Gardner-Webb

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 20, 2016) – After scoring 18 runs over three games last weekend at Mercer, the ETSU softball team kept the offense rolling Wednesday as it scored 13 runs on 14 hits to sweep a non-conference doubleheader from Gardner-Webb by scores of 10-3 and 3-0. The Bucs, who are now 16-14 overall, have won four of their last five games, which matches their best five-game stretch this season.


Cowart Named SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (April 20, 2016) – ETSU Softball’s Bethany Cowart (Ringgold, Ga.) has been named General Shale Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for competition held April 13-19, the league office announced Wednesday. Cowart is the sixth different ETSU student-athlete to receive this academic year and the fifth since the calendar turned to January.


Softball takes on Gardner-Webb in doubleheader Wednesday

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 19, 2016) – After nearly month of road games combined with cancellations and postponements, the ETSU softball team will return to Betty Basler Field Wednesday for a non-conference doubleheader against Gardner-Webb. Wednesday’s twin bill is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m.


Cowart, Fadnek named SoCon Players of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (April 18, 2016) – After going 2-1 this past weekend at Mercer, the ETSU softball team swept the conference’s weekly awards Monday. Senior Bethany Cowart (Ringgold, Ga.) was named the conference’s Player of the Week, while Lindsey Fadnek (Coalfield, Tenn.) earned the league’s Pitcher of the Week honor.


Cowart’s career day powers ETSU past Mercer in series finale, 11-7

MACON, Ga. (April 17, 2016) Bethany Cowart (Ringgold, Ga.) went 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI, while Danielle Knoetze (San Diego, Calif.) and Cassi Pickett (Chattanooga, Tenn.) hit home runs of their own to power the ETSU softball team to an 11-7 win at Mercer Sunday afternoon. The win evens the Bucs’ record to 14-14 overall and clinches the team’s second straight series win over a SoCon opponent.


Bucs split a pair of games Saturday in Macon

MACON, Ga. (April 16, 2016) – The ETSU softball team gained a split Saturday afternoon in a SoCon doubleheader at Mercer. ETSU hit three home runs en route to a 7-2 win in game one, but dropped game two, 8-0, in five innings. The win in game one not only gave the Bucs just their second ever win in Macon but also gave the Bucs’ their fourth conference win of 2016. The four conference victories surpass the team’s win total in SoCon action last season (3).


Bucs return to action with a road trip to Mercer this weekend

MACON, Ga. (April 15, 2016) – Following a 13-day layoff, the ETSU softball team will hit the road this weekend for a three-game series at Mercer. The Bucs and Bears will face off in a doubleheader Saturday and close out the three-game set with a single game Sunday. Start times for both days are scheduled for 1 p.m. at Sikes Field.


Thursday’s softball doubleheader vs. Presbyterian cancelled

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 13, 2016) – The ETSU softball team’s doubleheader against Presbyterian Thursday has been cancelled. The reason for the cancellation is because the Blue Hose have to play a previously postponed conference game Thursday


Softball’s doubleheader at Morehead State Tuesday cancelled

MOREHEAD, Ky. (April 11, 2016) – The ETSU softball team’s doubleheader at Morehead State Tuesday has been cancelled due to heavy rain in the forecast.


ETSU releases ticket information for softball game May 3 vs. Virginia Tech

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 11, 2016) – The ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Monday the ticket prices for the ETSU softball team’s game May 3 against Virginia Tech.


Softball’s doubleheader vs. SC State Saturday cancelled

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 8, 2016) – The ETSU softball team’s doubleheader against South Carolina State Saturday has been cancelled due to cold temperatures forecasted in the Tri-Cities region this weekend.


Bucs drop series finale at Furman, 7-1

GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 3, 2016) – Furman scored runs in each of the first four innings to open a 6-0 lead on the ETSU softball team Sunday afternoon. The six-run deficit proved too much for the Bucs to overcome has they fell to the Paladins, 7-1. Despite the loss, ETSU still won the series against Furman after sweeping a doubleheader Saturday.


Bucs hit six home runs in a doubleheader sweep at Furman

GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 2, 2016) – The ETSU softball team hit six home runs Saturday to sweep a doubleheader at Furman. ETSU won game one by a score of 7-4 and followed that up with a 9-4 triumph in game two. With the pair of victories, the Bucs not only evened their record overall (12-12) but also got above the .500 mark in conference play at 3-2.


Bucs travel to Furman for a three-game series

GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 1, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will hit the road to Greenville, S.C. this weekend for its first SoCon road series of the season to take on Furman. The Bucs and Paladins will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. and will wrap up series with a single game Sunday also beginning at 1 p.m.


ETSU splits Wednesday’s doubleheader at Radford

RADFORD, Va. (March 30, 2016) – The ETSU softball team won game one of its non-conference doubleheader at Radford Wednesday, 4-2, but dropped game two by a score of 9-3. The win in game one gave ETSU its tenth victory on the season and moved its record to 10-12 overall.


Softball travels to Radford for a doubleheader Wednesday

RADFORD, Va. (March 29, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will hit the road for a non-conference doubleheader at Radford Wednesday. This will be the Bucs’ first trip to Radford since the 2007 season. The twin bill is scheduled to get underway at 3 p.m.


Boyd’s walk-off home run carries ETSU to an 8-7 win

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 26, 2016) – Senior Madison Boyd (Chattanooga, Tenn.) hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to carry the ETSU softball team to an 8-7 victory over Western Carolina Saturday afternoon at Betty Basler Field.


Western Carolina takes a pair from the Bucs Friday

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 25, 2016) – Western Carolina knocked off the ETSU softball team twice Friday afternoon at Betty Basler Field by scores of 14-7 and 4-0. With the results Friday, the Bucs begin conference play with a 0-2 record and move to 8-11 overall.


Bucs open SoCon play with three against Western Carolina

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 24, 2016) – Following a five-game road swing, the ETSU softball team returns to Betty Basler Field this weekend to open Southern Conference play against Western Carolina.


Bucs drop a pair of close games at USC Upstate

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (March 23, 2016) – The ETSU softball team dropped a pair of close games to USC Upstate Wednesday afternoon by scores of 3-2 and 3-0. USC Upstate, which was receiving votes in the national polls this week, moves its record to 27-4 this season, while the Bucs’ record dips below the .500 mark to 8-9.


Student-Athlete Spotlight: Madison Boyd

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 23, 2016) – Perseverance. That one word best describes ETSU softball player Madison Boyd’s (Chattanooga, Tenn.) career at ETSU. Boyd, who came to Johnson City from a very successful prep program in Chattanooga, has battled injuries throughout her career and now in her senior season has blossomed into one of the top players on the team.


Bucs travel to USC Upstate for a mid-week doubleheader

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (March 22, 2016) – After a pair of postponements, the ETSU softball team will return to action Wednesday when it travels to take on USC Upstate in a doubleheader. The twin bill between the Bucs (8-7 overall) and the Spartans (25-4 overall, 2-1 A-Sun) is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. from Cyrill Stadium.


ETSU’s doubleheader vs. SC State rescheduled to April 9

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 19, 2016) – The ETSU softball team’s doubleheader against South Carolina State originally scheduled for March 20 at Betty Basler Field has been rescheduled to April 9. The start time of the twin bill against SC State is now scheduled for a noon start time.


ETSU’s doubleheader vs. Gardner-Webb rescheduled to April 20

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 18, 2016) – The ETSU softball team’s doubleheader against Gardner-Webb originally scheduled for March 19 at Betty Basler Field has been rescheduled to April 20. The start time of the twin bill against the Runnin Bulldogs will get underway at 2 p.m.


Bucs lose in a slugfest against Kennesaw State, 7-6

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (March 13, 2016) – A day after dropping a 4-2 decision to the ETSU softball team, Kennesaw State rebounded to knock off the Bucs Sunday winning in a slugfest, 7-6. The Bucs finished off the weekend trip to Cookeville, Tenn. with a 1-2 record and move their record to 8-7 overall.


Bucs split a pair of games Saturday in Cookeville

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (March 12, 2016) – The ETSU softball team knocked off Kennesaw State, 4-2, but fell to Tennessee Tech, 6-3, in the first day of the Tennessee Tech Invitational Saturday. With the results Saturday, the Bucs’ record moves to 8-6 this spring.


Bucs travel to Cookeville for four games this weekend

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (March 11, 2016) – The ETSU softball team (7-5) will head to Cookeville, Tenn. this weekend for two games against Kennesaw State and two more contests versus Tennessee Tech.


Fadnek named SoCon Pitcher of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (March 7, 2016) – ETSU softball player Lindsey Fadnek (Coalfield, Tenn.) was named the SoCon Pitcher of the Week Wednesday by the league office. Fadnek becomes the first ETSU softball player to earn a conference weekly honor since May 4, 2009 when Annie Martin (Centerville, Tenn.) was named the A-Sun’s Player of the Week.


Siena rallies past ETSU, 3-2

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 6, 2016) – A two-run sixth inning propelled Siena past the ETSU softball team Sunday afternoon at Betty Basler Field by a final score of 3-2. The loss snaps the Bucs’ two-game winning streak and drops their record to 7-5.


Bucs pick up a pair of wins against Morehead State & Siena

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 5, 2016) – The ETSU softball team notched victories over Morehead State and Siena at the Buccaneer Classic Saturday. The Bucs started the day off defeating the Eagles by a score of 4-3 in eight innings and followed that up with a 10-4 win over Siena in the second game.


Bucs split with Alabama A&M to open Buccaneer Classic

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 4, 2016) – The ETSU softball team opened the home portion of its schedule Friday and earned a split against Alabama A&M in the opening games of the Buccaneer Classic.


Softball set to host the Buccaneer Classic

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 3, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will open its home schedule this weekend as it hosts the Buccaneer Classic at Betty Basler Field.


Three Bucs earn spots on the Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 22, 2016) – After going 4-1 this past weekend at the Tiger Classic in Nashville, three ETSU softball players were named to the event’s All-Tournament team.


Bucs knock off UL Monroe, 5-3, to pick up third straight win

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 21, 2016) – The ETSU softball team closed out the Tiger Classic on a high note with a 5-3 victory over UL Monroe Sunday in Nashville. The victory, which is ETSU’s third straight, improved the Bucs’ record to 4-3 overall.


Offense powers ETSU Softball to a pair of wins in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 20, 2016) – After scoring three runs in its first four games, the ETSU softball team exploded for 14 runs in two games Saturday in Nashville en route to a pair of victories over Tennessee State and Northern Kentucky.


Bucs pick up first win of 2016; earn split on day one of Tiger Classic

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 19, 2016) – Only three runs were scored by the ETSU softball team’s opposition Friday, which proved to be enough for the Bucs to earn a split on the first day of the Tiger Classic. The Bucs won the first game of the day against Butler, 1-0, but dropped the night cap to Evansville, 3-0.


Bucs travel to Nashville for the Tiger Classic

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 18, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will travel to Nashville, Tenn. this weekend to compete in the Tiger Classic. The Classic will feature 15 games over three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) with ETSU competing in five of those contests.


Bucs drop a pair to open the season in Kennesaw

KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb. 14, 2016) – The ETSU softball team dropped a pair of games Sunday as it opened its 2016 season in Kennesaw, Ga. The Bucs lost its season opener to Murray State by a score of 5-0 and dropped the second contest to Kennesaw State by a 4-2 final tally.


Softball opens season Sunday in Georgia

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 13, 2016) – The ETSU softball team will open its 2016 season Sunday when it travels to Kennesaw, Ga. to compete in the Kickoff Classic. The Bucs, who were 15-33 overall last season, will take on Murray State at 1:30 p.m. and wrap up the day facing Kennesaw State at 4 p.m.


Pickett Named to the College Sport Madness All-SoCon Second Team

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 12, 2016) – Following a breakout freshman season, ETSU softball player Cassi Pickett (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was named to the College Sport Madness All-SoCon Second Team.


Weather forces Softball to make changes to schedule

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 11, 2016) – With forecasted wind chills being around 20 degrees Saturday in Kennesaw, Ga., the ETSU softball team was forced to make some schedule alterations to its opening weekend of games.


2016 ETSU Softball Season Preview

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2016) – The ETSU softball team is just four days away getting its 2016 season underway. The Bucs, who were 15-33 overall and 3-15 in conference play in 2015, will open the 2016 campaign with the Kick-Off Classic at Kennesaw State Feb. 13-14.


ETSU Softball opens 2016 season with first practice

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 15, 2016) – The ETSU Softball team opens the 2016 season Saturday with its first official practice at Betty Basler Field. The Buccaneers will have just under a month to prepare for their first games, which will be at the Kick-Off Classic on the campus of Kennesaw State Feb. 13-14.


ETSU Softball volunteers to help make homes safer and stronger

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Dec. 14, 2015) – Last week the East Tennessee State University softball took a break from preparing for their final exams and joined the Appalachia Service Project of Johnson City in their efforts in making homes safer and stronger.


Irwin inks three during the early signing period

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 19, 2015) – ETSU Head Softball Coach Brad Irwin and the rest of his coaching staff announced the signings of three student-athletes to NLI’s during the early signing period Thursday. Irwin added Nikki Grupp (Jacksonville, Fla.), Kelly Schmidt (Norcross, Ga.) and Kylie Toler (Bradenton, Fla.).


ETSU Athletes help to put on the Scarecrow Skedaddle event

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 7, 2015) – Over 40 East Tennessee State University student-athletes helped the Niswonger Children’s Hospital put on the Scarecrow Skedaddle event Saturday morning on the campus of ETSU. The event began with a 5K in front of Brooks Gym at 9 a.m.


ETSU Softball releases its 2016 schedule

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 29, 2015) – The East Tennessee State University softball team unveiled its 2016 schedule Thursday. The Bucs, who finished last season 15-33 overall and 3-15 in league play, are scheduled to play 50 games in 2016. The season is scheduled to begin Feb. 13-14


Buccaneer Softball wraps up the fall season

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 22, 2015) – The East Tennessee State University softball team wrapped up its fall season last weekend. ETSU, which finished last season 15-33 overall and 3-15 in league action, has a wealth of experience returning for 2016 as 18 players that were on the roster last year are back.


Softball opens fall practice this week

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 8, 2015) – The East Tennessee State University softball team began its preparations for the 2016 season this week at Betty Basler Field. In addition to practices, the Bucs will have eight games against other institutions to prepare for their upcoming season.


Irwin announces the hiring of Jackson as assistant coach

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 4, 2015) – ETSU head softball coach Brad Irwin announced Friday the addition of the Johnson City, Tenn. native, Ashleigh Jackson, to the team’s coaching staff. Jackson was a five-year varsity starter at Science Hill High School