Jenna and NFCA CEO and Hall of Famer, former college coach, ESPN analyst, and Iowa alum, Carol Bruggeman, finish their conversation. In part 2, they talk about leadership and teamwork, what actually makes a good coach and player, how to balance gratitude with pushing for more, why the best is yet to come for our sport, takes on coaches getting thrown out, the transfer portal, bat flips, and more.

00:00:00-00:05:39 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:05:39-00:35:27 Interview

00:35:27-00:36:27 Bring It Home/Outro

IG: @bleavinsoftball

X: @BleavInSoftball

Jenna is joined by NFCA CEO and Hall of Famer, longtime college coach, speaker, ESPN analyst, and All Big Ten player at Iowa, Carol Bruggeman! In part 1, they talk about her coaching experience from working under the GOAT Carol Hutchins to founding the Purdue program and helping build Louisville, growing the game with the NFCA, leadership, her broadcasting career, Mayhem, using her multifaceted experience to shape the future of the game, and more.

00:00:00-00:06:46 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:06:46-00:39:52 Interview

00:39:52-00:40:59 Bring It Home/Outro

IG: @bleavinsoftball

X: @BleavInSoftball

Jenna is joined by Clemson senior, All American infielder, and ACC tournament champion, Maddie Moore! They talk about building a new program, her evolution from hitting .190 as a freshman to becoming an All American, being the Tigers’ stolen base leader, defense vs offense, Senior Day and her last season, why moving across the country was the “scariest and best decision”, both playing for Head Coach John Rittman, and more ahead of Regionals.

00:00:00-00:06:48 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:06:48-00:53:43 Interview

00:53:43-00:54:52 Bring It Home/Outro

IG: @bleavinsoftball

X: @BleavInSoftball

Jenna is joined by USA Olympic gold medalist, NPF champion, 4X All American, 3X Big West champion and POY, Cal State Fullerton HOF inductee and Player Development Assistant, Jenny Topping! They talk about being on the Real Dream Team for Athens 2004, the evolution of the game from then to now, lefty catcher love, being part of one of the most successful mid-major programs, motivating players authentically, creating magical moments, and more.

00:00:00-00:05:12 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:05:12-00:56:30 Interview

00:56:30-00:57:58 Bring It Home/Outro

IG: @bleavinsoftball

X: @BleavInSoftball

Jenna is joined by Virginia Head Coach and Biola University alum and All American, Joanna Hardin! They talk about the rise of Virginia Softball, reaching 200 career wins and nearly a decade with the Hoos, developing through hard times, how her playing days and coaching at multiple levels shaped her, when the small things become the big things, why faith is a beautiful thing, the unique history on campus in Charlottesville, the ACC, Jenna’s visit to UVA, and more.

00:00:00-00:05:42 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:05:42-00:46:17 Interview

00:46:17-00:47:32 Bring It Home/Outro

IG: @bleavinsoftball

X: @BleavInSoftball

Jenna catches up with Andrew Luck who threw out the first pitch for Stanford vs. Cal.

Jenna is joined by Florida State catcher, All American, 3X All ACC player, and WCWS All-Tournament honoree, Michaela Edenfield! They talk about her career in Tallahassee, playing for Lonni Alameda, Coacha’s impact, dropping bombs into Area 51, catching, the Seminoles’ “K time” experience, her iconic game day makeup, representing her hometown in Sneads, FL, her journey with confidence, what keeps her grounded, being a role model, and more.

00:00:00-00:06:28 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:06:28-01:02:49 Interview

01:02:49-01:04:04 Bring It Home/Outro

X: @BleavInSoftball

Instagram: @bleavinsoftball

Jenna is joined by Bandits pitcher, 2023 Athletes Unlimited champion, 3X All American, ESPY nominee, and James Madison and USA Softball alum, Odicci Alexander! They talk about getting ready for the first year of the AUSL, being part of “This is Legendary” - the largest campaign in pro softball history, leading JMU to their first ever WCWS, opening her own facility with SixFour3, always playing for something bigger, the people who mean the most, and more.

00:00:00-00:05:02 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:05:02-01:00:55 Interview

01:00:55-01:01:59 Bring It Home/Outro

Twitter: @BleavInSoftball

Instagram: @bleavinsoftball

Jenna is joined by Michigan Head Coach for 38 years, winningest coach in NCAA softball history (including the 2005 national title), 18X Big Ten COY, Michigan State alum and AIAW national champion, and HOF inductee, Carol Hutchins! They talk about our sport’s history and evolution, leading the first team east of the Mississippi River to win a title, women of the B1G, retired life, whether she’s more Wolverine or Spartan at this point, hot takes, and much more.

00:00:00-00:05:50 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:05:50-00:52:58 Interview

00:52:58-00:54:11 Bring It Home/Outro

Twitter: @BleavInSoftball

Instagram: @bleavinsoftball

Jenna is joined by Stanford junior, All American infielder, leading ACC hitter, All Pac-12 honoree, and 2023 Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year, #99 Taryn Kern! They talk about being the softball program’s first ever undergrad transfer, balancing elite academics and athletics, playing in the football stadium, competing in 3 different conferences, the underdog mentality, what’s up with all her walks and HBP, growing up in a baseball family, being a Bay Area kid, and more.

00:00:00-00:04:23 Intro/Covering Our Bases

00:04:23-00:50:27 Interview

00:50:27-00:51:37 Bring It Home/Outro

Twitter: @BleavInSoftball

Instagram: @bleavinsoftball