In The Circle

After witnessing a SummerSlam for the ages, Eric Lopez and Victor Anderson are fired up for the newest episode of In The Circle. Today's episode is all about The KPI. KPI was recently brought up during the NCAA Division I Softball Council's meeting in Indianapolis. We chatted with the man who introduced the metric, Michigan State Associate AD Kevin Pauga. He shares with In The Circle about his creation, its nuances, and how it is different from the RPI. He and Eric explain how the formula works and its impact on UCLA and Arizona State.

 We hear from the guys with their thoughts on whether the KPI can help change college softball, plus some late news about the transfer portal and how Victor might be in a rivalry with one of our podcast family members.

Another Thursday means we have a fresh episode of In The Circle. We continue our #NewFacesNewPlaces series with our conversation with the next Texas-Arlington Head Coach, Kara Dill. She talks about becoming the new UTA Head Coach and her vision for the program. Coach Dill discusses playing for Kentucky and eventually learning from Head Coach Rachel Lawson while becoming a pitching coach. She also talks about what she learned from Beth Torina at LSU and Jo Evans at Texas A&M.

 

We also look ahead to Week One of Athletes Unlimited and have our first In The Circle AU Draft of the season. We added a couple of twists to the draft, and wait until you see who ended up on our respective teams.

It's Monday, and You know what that means! It's a new episode of In The Circle, and another new coach is joining the podcast. In this episode, we're joined by new North Georgia Assistant Coach Alea White. She talks with Eric Lopez about what led her to North Georgia and working for Head Coach Mike Davenport. Coach White discusses the influences she learned throughout her career and being a Grad Assistant under Cindy Ball-Malone at UCF in 2022. Alea reflects on her decorated UCF career, what led her to play softball, and much more.
  Victor Anderson and Eric chat about what Coach White's addition means for the Nighthawks in 2022 and how many teams, along with UNG, can make it to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for next year's DII National Championships. Plus, more coaching news, and Victor has some things to get off his chest.

On our latest episode of In The Circle, Victor and Eric address their comments on Monday's episode and the passionate response from the Oklahoma fanbase. They apologize for their Kevin Durant comparison and clear up on the issues going on with college sports as well as the transfer portal.   Plus, Eric Lopez welcomes back Rhiannon Potkey from D1 Softball to the podcast. She recently wrote about a recent meeting in Indianapolis between the NCAA Division I Softball Committee and NFCA where they discussed potential changes within college softball. Among the topics discussed were a possible replacement for the RPI, eliminating restrictions on dugout celebrations, and changes to the end of regionals. 
  Eric asks Victor his thoughts on the possibility of adding an additional day for regionals and more time in between games during regionals. We wrap-up with sharing upcoming guests on the podcast.

While Major League Baseball and everyone else is on an All-Star Break, we're still going strong here on In The Circle. Cue the Bill Belichick "No Days Off" meme, please. In this episode, we break down Hailey Lee's announcement to transfer to Oklahoma and its potential impact on the sport of softball. We chat about how the fans and social media are worried how college softball could turn into something similar to when UConn dominated college basketball. Plus, this might signify things to come with the transfer portal and NIL.

 

Eric Lopez chats with new Creighton Head Coach Krista Wood in her first extensive national interview since accepting the position. Coach Wood talks about the decision to return to her home state of Nebraska, leaving South Dakota State, building the Bluejay program, competing in the Big East, and much more. Eric makes a bold statement about Wood's hire, which has Victor Anderson thinking. 

 

We wrap the show recapping and sharing final thoughts on USA Softball winning Gold at The World Games. The crowds and passion in Hoover were on display with the record attendance. However, the guys have some words for the Olympic Committee on getting softball in the 2028 Olympics.

Another Thursday means another new edition of In The Circle and another new head coach joining us on the podcast. Today, we chat with new UNF Head Coach Jeff Conrad in his first extensive interview since taking over the program earlier this month. Coach Conrad chatted with Eric Lopez about becoming the new head coach, taking over for Marcie Higgs, and the biggest changes he'll make from being an assistant to the #1 in command. He also reflects on his journey into coaching, his Hall of Fame sister (and another HOF player he knows), and his love for the New York Rangers.   After the interview, we break down some of the latest hires in coaching including Texas Tech and North Georgia finding their pitching coaches. Also, San Diego State's newest staff edition and what that means for one Big Ten school. We look at another impact bat landing in the SEC via the transfer portal and why Eric Lopez wasn't a fan of having softball at the Hoover Met during The World Games and not for the reason you think either.

On today's episode of In The Circle, we head down south to Boca Raton as Eric Lopez talks with new FAU Head Coach Jordan Clark in her first national interview since taking over the reins last month. She talks about taking over the Owls program for the late Joan Joyce, her journey into coaching, and the influence Tim Walton and Courtney Deifel have had on her. She also discusses what she envisions for the FAU program as they begin their final season in Conference USA before joining the American Athletic Conference in 2024.

 We also breakdown the latest in the transfer portal and the addition that has Victor Anderson channeling his inner Kenny Smith (sans getting beat to the video screen, of course). We then talk about The World Games starting and the lack of national streaming coverage until the Semifinals. Please don't ask us how this went into bowling and Victor ranting about his least favorite bowling announcer.

Another Thursday means another new episode of In The Circle. Today, we continue conversations with pitchers who found and thrived in new homes via the transfer portal. Eric Lopez chats with Lady Vol hurler Erin Edmoundson about her journey from Houston to Lubbock to Knoxville and all points in between. She shares her thought process on entering the portal and winding up in Tennessee. She also talks about her journey into softball, this past season, and what's next for her post-softball.

 

Afterward, the guys talk about a pair of pitchers finding new homes and the one move which has Victor declaring a team THE top challenger to Oklahoma in 2023. We also discussed more coaching movements and hires by Campbell and Stephen F. Austin. The show wraps up with breaking down Extra Inning Softball Softball SID's of the Year and Eric's concern about Team USA heading into The World Games in Birmingham.

As we recover from one of the most news-filled weekends in recent memory, we attempt to get back on track on our latest edition of In The Circle. In our latest episode, we chat with Texas' Hailey Dolcini as she reflects on this past season and postseason in Austin. She shares with Eric Lopez what led her to go to Texas for her final season, her stellar career, and what she is working on next. Texas fans will like the answer they hear to that question.

 

Afterward, Victor Anderson joins the show to reflect on the landscape-shaping news of UCLA moving from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten. We discuss how it impacts both leagues, what is next for the Pac-12, and what it means for college softball. The guys also throw the possibility of a Big 12/Pac 12 merger and its strength.

Finally, Eric compares the potential implementation of a safety base at first base to a blown call during WWE Money In The Bank. Trust us, Victor was just as stunned and silent as all of you are.

In our latest edition of In The Circle, our "New Faces in New Places" series continues as Eric Lopez chats with New Mexico's new Head Coach Nicole Dickson. She discusses her decision to leave Stephen F. Austin and her expectations for the Lobos. She also shares her hectic schedule since taking over, working with her new Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez, coaching in a talented Mountain West conference, and more.

 

After the interview, the guys have plenty to say as they have more transfers to discuss, including a Division II power adding a former Longhorn and Ole Miss continuing to add reinforcements. Eric shares the announcement about the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and what match-ups he'd like to see in Clearwater involving Virginia Tech, FSU, and Nebraska, among others. We wrap up the show by breaking down the WCWS rating and how the MCWS finished in a dead heat. Victor and Eric also look at the nominees for the 2022 Extra Inning Softball Golden Mic Awards.