ETSU Student-Athletes Continue Success in Classroom with 3.165 Spring GPA

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (June 1, 2021) – Continuing a trend of success both in and out of the classroom, the ETSU Athletic Department is proud to announce its student-athletes generated a cumulative grade point average of 3.165 during the spring semester.


Trio of Bucs Claim All-SoCon Honors

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (May 12, 2021) – For the first time since the 2019 season, we have an All-SoCon Softball team. The league office announced the All-SoCon squad on Wednesday afternoon with the Bucs earning three postseason honors. Seniors Kelly Schmidt (Norcross, Ga.) and Kylie Toler (Bradenton, Fla.) were named to the All-SoCon Second Team, while Lilly Holston (Powell, Tenn.) earned a spot on the All-Freshman squad.


Bucs Fall in Regular-Season Finale

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 2, 2021) – Playing in its final regular-season contest of the 2021 season, the ETSU Softball team dropped a heartbreaker in Birmingham, Ala. The Bucs squandered a four-run cushion late in the game, dropping a 6-4 decision to Samford in the series finale. With the loss, ETSU falls to 15-22 on the campaign, including 3-14 in Southern Conference action.


ETSU Splits Pitchers’ Duel with Samford

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 1, 2021) – In a day with little offense and dominating pitching, the ETSU Softball team came away with a doubleheader split with Samford. The Bucs dropped game one by the final of 1-0 before rebounding in game two for the 2-1 win over the Bulldogs. With the split, ETSU improves to 15-21 (3-13 SoCon), while Samford improves to 16-25 (5-9 SoCon).


ETSU Closes Regular Season at Samford

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 30, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team will close the book on the 2021 regular season this weekend, capping off the season with a three-game series at Samford beginning tomorrow at 2 p.m. (ET).


Softball vs. Mercer Cancelled

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 24, 2021) – Saturday’s single game softball showdown between ETSU and Mercer has officially been cancelled due to inclement weather. Saturday’s game was the series finale as the two squads split the Friday doubleheader.


Bucs Split Senior Day with Bears

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 23, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team celebrated Senior Day on Friday afternoon with a doubleheader split against the Mercer Bears. With the split, ETSU improved to 14-20 on the season, including 2-12 in Southern Conference action.


Bucs Host Bears in Final Home Series

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 22, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team will take the diamond at Betty Basler Field for the final time this season, hosting Mercer in a three-game series beginning tomorrow at 3 p.m. The series with the Bears will conclude with a solo game on Saturday at 1 p.m. Prior to Friday’s first pitch, the Bucs will honor its seven seniors as part of Senior Day.


Bucs Fall in the Final Non-Conference Doubleheader

BOONE, N.C. (April 20, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team competed in its final non-conference doubleheader of the season, falling in a pair of contests to Appalachian State on Tuesday afternoon in Boone, N.C. With the losses, ETSU drops to 13-19 on the season after seeing its losing streak extend to 11 games.


ETSU Travels to Boone on Tuesday

BOONE, N.C. (April 19, 2021) – For the final time in the 2021 regular season, the ETSU Softball team will compete in a non-conference battle as the Bucs head to Boone, N.C. for a Tuesday doubleheader with Appalachian State. The doubleheader was originally set for Wednesday, April 21 but has been moved up one day to Tuesday.


ETSU Slips in Series Finale against Furman

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 18, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team dropped its ninth consecutive game on Sunday, falling to Furman by the final of 6-0. With the loss, ETSU falls to 13-17 on the season and 1-11 in Southern Conference play.


Bucs drop Saturday Doubleheader to Paladins

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 17, 2021) – The slide continues for the ETSU Softball team as the Bucs dropped two more games on Saturday, this time falling in a doubleheader to Furman at Betty Basler Field. With the losses, the Bucs fall to 13-16 (1-10 SoCon) on the year, running the losing streak to eight games.


Bucs Play Host to Paladins During Homecoming

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 16, 2021) – ETSU Softball is back at Betty Basler Field as the Bucs play host to Furman in a three-game series beginning on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The series will conclude on Sunday with a single game at 1 p.m.


ETSU Day of Giving – Five Things to Know

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 14, 2021) -- As the annual ETSU Day of Giving campaign is set to begin this Thursday at 9 a.m., below are the Five Things to Know to support our student-athletes.


Buccaneer Woes Continue in Cullowhee

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (April 11, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team could not overcome a slow offensive weekend, dropping yet another three-game Southern Conference series. This time it was the Western Carolina Catamounts who handed the Bucs the three-game sweep. With the losses, ETSU drops to 13-14 on the season and 1-8 in league action.


ETSU-Western Carolina softball series opener suspended due to inclement weather

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (April 10, 2021) -- Due to inclement weather in western North Carolina, Saturday’s softball series opener between ETSU and Western Carolina has been suspended with the Catamounts leading 7-0 in the top of the fourth inning.


Bucs Look to Bounce Back in Cullowhee

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (April 9, 2021) – The Southern Conference Softball season hasn’t exactly begun the way the Bucs wanted. However, ETSU could right its ship with a three-game series this weekend against the Catamounts in Cullowhee, N.C.


ETSU Day of Giving: Virtual Sellout

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 8, 2021) – ETSU Athletics Department is officially one week out from the annual Day of Giving which begins at noon on April 15 and runs through Homecoming. ETSU is full of traditions that we hold sacred and we are inviting all fans to be part of our traditions as we continue to give on our Day of Giving.


Five Bucs Earn SoCon Athlete of the Month Honors

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 5, 2021) – The Southern Conference announced its Player of the Month awards for March on Monday afternoon and five Buccaneers received accolades.


Bucs drop 11-inning heartbreaker to Chattanooga, 3-2

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 3, 2021) – Despite keeping Chattanooga scoreless for nine innings and freshman Lilly Holston (Powell, Tenn.) belting a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, the ETSU softball team couldn’t secure a win in the series finale, as the Bucs suffered an 11-inning heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the Mocs on Saturday from Betty Basler Field.


Bucs Blanked in Friday Sweep

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 2, 2021) – The Southern Conference home opener did not go the way the ETSU Softball squad wanted, dropping a pair of shutout losses to visiting Chattanooga on Friday afternoon. With the losses, the Bucs drop to 13-10 on the season and 1-4 in league play.


Bucs Ready for SoCon Home Opener

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 1, 2021) – The ETSU Softball squad is geared up and ready for its Southern Conference home opener as the Bucs host Chattanooga in a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader tomorrow at 2 p.m. The three-game series will conclude at Betty Basler Field on Saturday with a single game at noon.


Strong start carries Bucs to road win at UNCG, 7-2

GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 27, 2021) -- After suffering a pair of one-run heartbreaking losses to open Southern Conference play on Friday, the ETSU softball team unleashed its frustration on UNCG in Saturday’s series finale.


Bucs drop pair of one-run decisions to UNCG in SoCon opener

GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 26, 2021) -- ETSU softball saw the UNCG Spartans rally for a pair of one-run decisions in Friday’s Southern Conference opener from UNCG Softball Stadium. The Spartans took the opener, 4-3 in nine innings, while capturing game two by the same score.


Bucs Open League Play at UNCG

GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 25, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team is fresh off a thrilling Wednesday doubleheader in which the Bucs pulled off back-to-back comeback wins over USC Upstate at Betty Basler Field. The Bucs are now turning their sights on Southern Conference foe, UNCG. ETSU (12-6) will travel to Greensboro, N.C. to square off against the Spartans (14-7) in a three-game series beginning on Friday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.


Bucs Sweep Spartans in Final Home Non-Conference Doubleheader

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 24, 2021) – It was an eventful day at Betty Basler Field as the ETSU Softball team pulled off a pair of late-inning comeback wins over USC Upstate. The Bucs claimed game one by the score of 7-5 before securing a 7-6 win in game two. With the pair of wins, ETSU improves to 12-6, while the Spartans fall to 16-6.


ETSU Set for Final Home Non-Conference Tilt

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 23, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team will play its final home non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, March 24 as the Bucs play host to USC Upstate. First pitch between the Bucs (10-6) and Spartans (16-4) at Betty Basler Field will commence at 3 p.m.


Commish Chat Episode 18: Scott Carter

Commish Chat is a series of one-on-one interviews between Southern Conference Commissioner Jim Schaus and various student-athletes, coaches, administrators, media members and more as they discuss SoCon athletics and issues that affect college athletics on a broader scale.


Schmidt Earns Back-to-Back Honors

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (March 22, 2021) – It was another strong week for ETSU Softball senior Kelly Schmidt (Norcross, Ga.). The dominating performance in the circle earned Schmidt her second consecutive Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week honors, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.


Bucs Winning Streak Stalls in Sunday Split

CARY, N.C. (March 21, 2021) – The ETSU Buccaneer softball team took its winning streak to Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C. where the Bucs split a twin bill on Sunday against North Carolina Central. ETSU claimed game one handedly, winning 8-0 in six innings. However, the Bucs surrendered 11 hits and eight runs in game two, falling 8-7 to the Eagles.


Bucs Battle Eagles in Sunday Series

DURHAM, N.C. (March 20, 2021) – The ETSU Softball squad takes its three-game winning streak on the road this weekend as ETSU takes on North Carolina Central in a Sunday doubleheader. The Bucs enter the weekend with a 9-5 record, while the Eagles are 0-15 on the campaign.


Bucs Sweep Radford in Thrilling Fashion

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 16, 2021) – After a run-rule first game, the ETSU Buccaneer Softball squad used 10 innings to pull off the sweep against the visiting Radford Highlanders. The Bucs took care of business in game one, besting Radford in six innings by the score of 9-1. ETSU provided the home fans with a thriller in game two, tying the most innings played in the Betty Basler Field era as the Bucs blasted a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning for the 4-2 win. With the sweep, ETSU improves to 9-5 on the year, while Radford falls to 6-10.


ETSU Welcomes Highlanders to Betty

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 15, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team will welcome Radford to Johnson City, Tenn. tomorrow in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. The Bucs’ (7-5) doubleheader against the Highlanders (6-8) will mark the seventh and eighth consecutive home game at Betty Basler Field for the Blue & Gold.


Schmidt Earns SoCon Pitcher of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (March 15, 2021) – Following a strong week in which Kelly Schmidt (Norcross, Ga.) finished 2-1 in the circle, the ETSU senior was named Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week. Schmidt picks up her third SoCon Pitcher of the Week honor in her collegiate career. Schmidt earned the honor for games played between March 8-14.


Bucs zip by Akron to force split on day two of Buccaneer Classic

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 14, 2021) -- The ETSU softball team forced a split on day two of the Buccaneer Classic on Sunday as the Buccaneers used an offensive onslaught to zip by Akron, 11-3 in six innings at Betty Basler Field. Earlier in the day, the Blue and Gold fell to Bradley, 4-2.


Schmidt’s two-hit shutout carries Bucs to split in Buccaneer Classic

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 13, 2021) -- ETSU senior right-hander Kelly Schmidt (Norcross, Ga.) tossed a two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts, carrying the Bucs to a 4-0 win over Akron in the opener of the Buccaneer Classic; however, the Bucs were unable to finish the sweep as Bradley edged the Blue and Gold 4-3 in the nightcap on Saturday at Betty Basler Field.


Bucs to Host Buccaneer Classic

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 12, 2021) – The ETSU Softball team is set for weekend action, this time hosting its own tournament, the annual Buccaneer Classic. The Bucs enter the weekend festivities with a 5-3 overall mark and will welcome Akron (1-7) and Bradley (3-6).


Bucs Draw Even in Midweek Doubleheader

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 9, 2021) – In what feels like weeks since their last contest, the ETSU Softball squad shook off the rust in a midweek doubleheader with Appalachian State at Betty Basler Field in Johnson City, Tenn. The Bucs claimed game one over the visiting Mountaineers, before dropping the second contest in the Tuesday tilt. With the split, ETSU improves its record to 5-3 on the season, while Appalachian State climbs to 11-5.


ETSU Ready for Mountaineers in Tuesday Tilt

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 8, 2021) – After yet another cancelled weekend, the Buccaneer Softball squad is ready to get back in action, this time hosting Appalachian State in a Tuesday doubleheader at Betty Basler Field. First pitch in Johnson City is set to commence at 3 p.m. for game one.


Grupp Named SoCon Player of the Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (March 1, 2021) – For the second time in her collegiate career, Nikki Grupp (Jacksonville, Fla.) was named the Southern Conference Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. Grupp earned the honor for games played between Feb. 22-28.


ETSU Bats Come Alive in Sunday Sweep

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Feb. 28, 2021) – The ETSU Buccaneer Softball squad put their stamp on the final day of the Wings ETC. Classic with a pair of convincing wins, including the tournament finale against USC Upstate. The Bucs toppled South Carolina State, 8-0, before putting together a 5-3 victory over the host Spartans. With the pair of wins, the Bucs improve to 4-2 on the season.


Bucs Begin Wing ETC. Classic with Doubleheader Split

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Feb. 27, 2021) – The ETSU Buccaneer Softball squad began the 2021 Wing ETC. Classic with a doubleheader split in Spartanburg, S.C. The Bucs began the tournament with a 6-1 loss to USC Upstate, followed by an 8-0 victory over South Carolina State. With the split, ETSU improves to 2-2 on the young campaign.


Softball to Compete in Wings ETC. Classic

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Feb. 26, 2021) – With the jitters of the first game of the season behind, the ETSU Softball team is set for its first business trip of the season, traveling to Spartanburg, S.C. to compete in the Wings ETC. Classic. The tournament, hosted by USC Upstate, will feature the Bucs and South Carolina State, alongside the Spartans.


Southern Conference celebrates Founders’ Day

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Feb. 25 is perhaps the most important date in the history of the Southern Conference. On that particular Friday in 1921, the first day of the league’s groundbreaking basketball tournament, representatives from 14 of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s 30 members gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, to establish the Southern Intercollegiate College.


ETSU Splits Twin Bill with Golden Eagles

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 24, 2021) – The ETSU Buccaneer Softball team came away with a win and a loss in the first doubleheader of the season, splitting the twin bill with Tennessee Tech at Betty Basler Field. The Bucs scored three runs in each contest, while the Golden Eagles combined for eight total runs. With the split, ETSU improves to 1-1 and Tennessee Tech improves to 4-2.


Bucs Add Golden Eagles for Season Opener

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 23, 2021) – The third time is the charm as the ETSU Softball team will finally kick off its 2021 regular season with a midweek doubleheader against Tennessee Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 24 beginning at 2 p.m. The doubleheader was finalized on Monday afternoon and the Bucs are more than ready to get their season under way.


Softball Weekend Series Cancelled

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 19, 2021) – For the second consecutive week, the ETSU Softball Team has seen its schedule altered. However, this time the season opener was changed due to inclement weather. The Bucs were set to kick off the season at Tennessee Tech today in Cookeville, Tenn. The Golden Eagles experienced a heavy mix of snow and ice, forcing the cancellation of yet another softball weekend as the field became unplayable.


Buccaneer Duo Named Senior CLASS Award Candidates

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (Feb. 18, 2021) – A pair of ETSU Softball student-athletes have been tabbed as Senior CLASS Award candidates. Fellow veterans Julia Fritz (Glen Allen, Va.) and Kelly Warren (Mechanicsville, Va.) received recognition for the award due to hard work on and off the diamond.


Softball Announces Schedule Changes

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 8, 2021) – The 2021 ETSU Softball season already has a new look prior to the start of the season. The Bucs were originally scheduled to host Army in a four-game series beginning on Saturday, Feb. 13. However, the Black Knights cancelled the series due to travel restrictions within the Army Athletic Department.


ETSU Athletics Announces Spring Capacities at Sporting Events

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 4, 2021) – The East Tennessee State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has officially announced its plans for capacities at sporting events to begin the 2021 spring seasons.


ETSU Claims Five SoCon Preseason Honors

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Feb. 4, 2021) – The 2021 Preseason All-Southern Conference teams and preseason standings have officially been announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon. The ETSU Buccaneers Softball squad was picked to finish fifth in the preseason standings, while five Bucs were tabbed to the Preseason All-SoCon First and Second Teams.


Coach Irwin Reveals 2021 Softball Schedule

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 29, 2021) – ETSU Softball Head Coach Brad Irwin revealed his team’s season schedule on Friday morning as the Bucs are officially two weeks away from the first game of the campaign.


Racial Equity and Justice Task Force announces inaugural “Unity Campaign”

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference Racial Equity and Justice Task force announced its inaugural “Unity Campaign,” which will run from Monday, Jan. 25, through Friday, Jan. 29, the league office announced Friday.


SoCon Racial Equity and Justice Task Force update

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference Racial Equity and Justice Task Force has kept busy since its October inception.


ETSU Student-Athletes Excel with 3.28 Fall GPA

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 13, 2021) – In a year unlike any other, the ETSU Athletic Department is proud to announce the department GPA, recording a mark of 3.28 program-wide.


Southern Conference to celebrate 100 years in 2021

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- One of the oldest conferences in college athletics, the Southern Conference will celebrate a century of athletic and academic achievement in 2021 with a variety of initiatives throughout the year.


Softball Welcomes Five in Early Signing Period

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 12, 2020) – ETSU Softball Head Coach Brad Irwin and his staff are happy to announce the signing of five student-athletes on Thursday morning during the early signing period. The five newcomers will join the team in the fall of 2021, prior to the 2022 campaign.


SoCon extends relationship with ESPN and ESPN+

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Southern Conference has reached a new six-year agreement with ESPN and ESPN+ through the 2025-26 academic year that features even more conference games across ESPN networks, as well as an increased presence across ESPN Digital platforms.


ETSU Athletics Launches Limited Time Online Shop Featuring Throwback Logos

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 26, 2020) -- ETSU fans, are you looking for the perfect holiday gift?


ETSU Athletics to hold Virtual 5K Run/Walk

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 7, 2020) -- Buccaneer fans, lace up your sneakers and participate in the ETSU Athletics Virtual 5K Run/Walk to be held Oct. 24-Nov. 1. Proceeds from this event will benefit our “All Hands on Deck” Commitment to Excellence initiative.


SoCon announces Racial Equity and Justice Task Force

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Southern Conference Commissioner Jim Schaus announced Tuesday the formation of a Racial Equity and Justice Task Force to counsel the league by identifying concepts and developing actionable items that can be used by all conference member schools regarding improving racial equity and social justice. The 15-member panel is composed of a racially diverse blend of student-athletes, coaches, campus administrators and athletics department staff members, with at least one representative from each of the league’s 10 full member schools.


ETSU Athletics Announces All Hands on Deck Commitment to Excellence Initiative

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 5, 2020) -- The East Tennessee State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its “All Hands on Deck” Commitment to Excellence initiative, which is designed to support our student-athletes and athletic department as we push through the challenges created by COVID-19.


A Letter to Our ETSU Family

To the Buccaneer Family, I hope this finds you and your family healthy and doing well.


Southern Conference postpones fall conference competition

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Aug. 13, 2020) – The Southern Conference Council of Presidents announced Thursday that the league will not have fall conference competition due to health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for nonconference contests if desired. It is the intention to move the fall sports’ regular-season competition and championships to the spring.


Southern Conference Statement on Fall Sports

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Aug. 6, 2020) – The Southern Conference Council of Presidents and Directors of Athletics are continuing their ongoing and comprehensive review of the COVID-19 environment and plans for fall sports. The overall health and safety of student-athletes and all participants are the foremost priorities.