In The Circle

By D1SoftballSports

In The Circle episodes

April 27, 2023 The Mayhem Is Slowly Approaching...Nah It's Already Here
Forget about the ides of March; it's the mayhem of college softball we are discussing on this episode of In The Circle. We look at some of the results from Wednesday night and last week and how they will impact the Field of 64 as we quickly approach Selection Sunday. We also discuss how it will affect Eric's Bracketology (which can be found on Extra Innings Softball).
Next, we are joined by Gray Robertson, who will call this weekend's huge SEC showdown between LSU and Alabama. Gray discusses what's on the line for both teams, the SEC picture, and where Gray disagrees with Eric on his Top 16 national seeds. Finally, and we mean FINALLY, Victor gets to share his thoughts on the first official D2 Rankings that came out Wednesday. He breaks down the Top 10 in each region and 1 vs. 2 showdowns in the South between Tampa and Saint Leo, as well as how the Peach Belt's new conference tournament format could lead to a massive opportunity for Columbus State.
1 hr 35 min
April 24, 2023 Chatting with the Chairwoman
As we enter the home stretch for this season, it's time for our yearly conversation with the head of the Division 1 Softball Committee. This year, we are honored to have Chairwoman Kelly Gatwood join us on the podcast. She talks about the committee's process in selecting a 64-team field. She also discusses what she learned while on the committee last year.
53 min
April 20, 2023 These Don't Look Like Rankings to Me
So much to talk about on our latest episode of In The Circle. Victor Anderson shares his thoughts on the first Division 2 regional "rankings" (which were more like a list of teams in consideration) and what regions have the most intrigue heading toward the end of the season. We then catch up with Iowa Assistant Coach Mandy Gardner, who helped the Hawkeyes turn around their fortunes this season. She chats with Eric Lopez about her path to Iowa, her playing career, and how the Hawkeyes have improved in all aspects in 2023.
We then look at the USA Softball Top 25 Player of the Year list released on Wednesday. Needless to say, the guys have plenty to say about who got in and who was snubbed. We even have a few names to consider on the list. We wrap up the show by discussing the inaugural WPF Draft from Oklahoma City.
1 hr 41 min
April 17, 2023 It's Getting Drafty In Here
We get ready for a historic day in Oklahoma City with the 2023 WPF Draft. On our latest episode, we talk with Alex Powers who will be on the coverage with Jen Schroder and Chris Plank at the historic Yale Theatre. She chats with Eric Lopez about what fans can expect during the draft and the 2023 season. She also talks about broadcasting both FSU Baseball & Softball as well as the outlook of college softball with a month to go before Selection Sunday.

The guys then recap the weekend that was with a slew of surprising results in Salt Lake City and Gainesville. Victor declares the SEC Player of the Year race over and has a few words for someone who blamed Beth Mowins for Clemson's recent play.
52 min
April 13, 2023 A Master at Her Craft
On today's edition of In The Circle, Eric Lopez gives his thoughts on the Tuesday schedule and the ramifications they will have with Selection Sunday just over a month away. Afterward, we talk to one of the rising stars in the business. Dorian Craft talks to In The Circle about Central Arkansas's win over Arkansas in Conway Tuesday night. She talks about UCA's success, the continued growth of Arkansas, and some other tidbits throughout the season. She also reflects on her path into broadcasting and balancing working for multiple schools in many roles.
1 hr 5 min
April 10, 2023 The Rhodes Back to Rocky Top
Now that Easter has come and gone, it's time to prepare for the second nine of the college softball season. On this episode of In The Circle, Eric chats with Tennessee Pitching Coach Megan Rhodes Smith. Before their weekend tilts with Baylor and Mercer, she reflected on the Lady Vol's camaraderie as a staff and their great start to the season. She also breaks down the work it takes to develop a pitching staff and Monica Abbott's retirement. After the interview, the guys look back at another impactful weekend of results in college softball. Florida State planted their spear in Death Valley, Washington moved closer to possibly becoming a Top 8 seed, Georgia's rise in the SEC, and a stunner in DeLand. We break all of it down in our latest episode.
1 hr 27 min
April 06, 2023 A Podcast Unlike Any Other
Hello friends! While we won't stroll down a lane of magnolias or say Amen in a corner, we have another episode of In The Circle ready to get you through this Easter Weekend. Victor Anderson starts the podcast by showing love to Marshall and their 21-game winning streak, which has gone largely unnoticed within college softball. He also breaks down what the Thundering Herd needs to do to get into at-large consideration for the NCAA Tournament. Next, we catch up with USF Ace Georgina Corrick, who talks to In The Circle about a post-USF playing career. Corrick talks about her role as grad manager at USF and getting into broadcasting. She also discusses playing for Great Britain and Athletes Unlimited, Her outlook on the AAC, and more. We wrap up the show looking at Eric Lopez's latest Bracketology on Extra Innings Softball. Can the SEC still get all 13 programs in the tournament? Which teams are living on the bubble? And the one question that Eric nearly didn't answer.
1 hr 26 min
April 03, 2023 Just The Two of Them
It's just Eric Lopez, Victor Anderson, and YOU on our latest episode of In The Circle. The guys share their thoughts on the weekend results in Norman, Westwood, and a surprising result in the B1G. Eric has concerns about an SEC team that is in danger of not hosting regionals for the first time in nearly 20 years. They also share thoughts on Saturday's situation in Starkville and why college softball might have a Caitlin Clark problem. Don't worry; we will explain what we mean.
45 min
March 30, 2023 Love That Ashley Waters, Boston You're Her Home
It's time to have some of that Boston dirty water on our latest episode of In The Circle. Eric Lopez catches up with Boston University Head Coach Ashley Waters. The Terriers are set to kick off Patriot League play this weekend against Holy Cross in the Turnpike Trophy Game. She brings us up to speed on her ball club going into conference play, the keys to winning back the Patriot League, and their season so far. Victor Anderson then shares his thoughts on softball radio broadcasts and why more schools don't have them in 2023. We wrap up the show by looking at some key series this weekend, including OU-Texas, Stanford-UCLA, Tennessee-Texas A&M, and some under-the-radar series with potential tournament ramifications.
1 hr 20 min
March 27, 2023 We Don't Believe What We Didn't See
Our latest podcast breaks down what happened in Stillwater on Friday night and what didn't happen that has the guys red-hot. Eric Lopez shares what it means for the Cowgirls' chances for the No. 1 overall seed and keeping up with the defending two-time champion Oklahoma Sooners. Victor Anderson looks at a wild series in Lexington with Texas A&M and Kentucky and what happened in Knoxville. Also, Eric is not happy about his Men's Tournament Bracket. We class up the show as SEC Network commentator Francesca Enea shares some of her biggest storylines in college softball in 2023 and her outlook on the SEC and college softball. She also discusses juggling her broadcasting duties both with Florida and UCF.

Our episode wraps up with a look around the rest of college softball, including a surprising sweep in the Big Ten, a team in the Sun Belt who might be the biggest challenger to Louisiana, and one player's quest to do something NEVER BEFORE done in college softball.
1 hr 27 min

About In The Circle

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D1Softball 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.