Southeastern Softball Wire Podcast

Charles Mays (Southeastern Softball Wire) interviews Michelle LaCourse in Chattanooga about the Scenic City League’s new identity (now Scenic City League, not Scenic City Collegiate League) and plans for summer 2027. LaCourse explains why she returned to help lead the league with partner Tommy Santiago, emphasizing Chattanooga’s community support and the league’s commitment to growth. They discuss expanding from four teams to five or six, keeping the successful portal day while focusing on four weeks of game film and development, improving the viewing/streaming experience for families and coaches, adding community outreach and youth attendance, and the value of quality reps across roughly 25 games in 30 days. LaCourse clarifies the league is not a “portal shop,” notes positive coach feedback, highlights coach Joe Guthrie’s impact, and directs interested players to apply at sceniccityleague.com.

00:00 Welcome and Updates

01:19 Why Michelle Returned

03:11 League Vision and Expansion

06:19 Chattanooga Draw for Players

11:04 Player Stories and Testimonials

13:50 Coffee With Goats Break

14:50 The 30 Day Grind

17:37 Portal Myths and Reality

22:41 Coach Feedback and Promotion

26:27 Coaching Staff Spotlight

28:49 How to Apply and Next Steps

34:16 Closing Thoughts and Wrap Up

Charles Mays of Southeastern Softball Wire interviews Bekah Duck, a pitcher from Maryville, Tennessee, entering her first season at Marshall University under Coach Morgan Zerkle. Duck explains that Marshall’s coaching staff and team dynamic sold her on the program after spending two years at Pitt, and she credits Tennessee Mojo travel ball for much of her recruiting and development while high school ball prepared her for a college-style season routine. She discusses the influence of watching Zerkle compete at a high level, the similarities between Huntington, West Virginia and East Tennessee, and early chemistry with teammates including former Mojo teammate Sydni Burko. Duck outlines goals for fall ball focused on communication, building a mound routine, and improving mental consistency, describes her style as a spin-and-movement pitcher featuring a curveball and rise ball, explains “tunneling,” and shares interests in reading, nature, faith, and future plans in health science and possibly med or PT school.

00:00 Meet Bekah Duck

01:09 Why Marshall

01:59 Travel Ball Roots

04:28 Life With Tennessee Mojo

05:37 Coach Zerkle Impact

08:08 Huntington Feels Like Home

09:30 Team Culture and Chemistry

10:47 Pitching Growth Mindset

12:11 Off Field Reset and Faith

15:46 Life After Softball

18:03 Softball Boom Era

23:53 Fundamentals Win Games

25:30 Two Way and Slapping

30:19 Fall Goals and Pitch Style

32:29 Tunneling Explained

35:33 Wrap Up and Maryville

Charles Mays sat down with Keke Jordan, a class of 2028 catcher/corner from Boyd Buchanan School in Chattanooga, Tenn. They talked about Jordan's mindset on and off the field, what makes Boyd Buchanan a good school, who she looks up to in the game, and more.

Charles interviews Grayson Radcliffe about her new role as an assistant coach at Duke Softball, reflecting on a packed AUSL crowd in Durham and the sport’s rapid growth in North Carolina’s Triangle. Grayson discusses why softball draws so many young fans, emphasizing the “see her, be her” effect and expanded collegiate and professional opportunities.

She explains what brought her from NC State to Duke, including staying close to family and the chance to learn from head coach Marissa Young, whom she praises for character, personal investment, and winning culture. Grayson also highlights the influence of coach Shonda Stanton on her coaching philosophy, compares college and pro/AU environments, shares that she’s currently focused on coaching rather than playing, and outlines goals at Duke: winning the ACC, developing confident athletes, and elevating defense and aggressive, smart base running.

00:00 Welcome and Game Night

00:41 Durham Crowd Energy

01:41 Triangle Softball Boom

03:27 Why Youth Loves Softball

05:15 Why She Chose Duke

06:16 Inside Duke Program Culture

07:54 Learning From Coach Young

10:09 Coach Stanton Influence

13:15 College vs Pro Softball

15:32 Playing Career Next Steps

16:58 Softball Growth and Respect

21:47 Goals for First Duke Season

24:05 Defense and Baserunning Edge

26:23 Poker Chips Baserunning Mindset

29:39 Wrap Up and Thanks

Keep up with softball coverage across the region at southeasternsoftball.com.

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Haley Meinen stopped by to chat with Charles Mays of Southeastern Softball Wire. They dove into the AUSL and the excitement of the season. They also spoke on the sustainability of the league and the smart pace of building. Meinen went into detail about Danielle Lawrie and her new book titled "After the Last Pitch". Tune in to see what else was discussed here.

You can find Haley Meinen across social platforms by searching Haley Meinen or Haley Meinen - Pitching & Hitting.

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Charles Mays (Southeastern Softball Wire) interviews Appalachian State head coach Whitney Jones about the Mountaineers’ pitching outlook heading toward fall ball and the February season. Jones reviews 2026, noting a strong start and competitive games vs. Tennessee, but a conference stretch that didn’t meet expectations and highlighted the need to limit free passes and close games.

She discusses freshman Cam Fisher’s year, including challenges with inconsistent illegal-pitch calls and offseason mechanical work, plus the risk-reward of her up-spin, strikeout profile. Jones previews the rebuilt staff with transfer Abby Huhn (different down-ball look) and incoming freshmen Avery Ramey and “Slim” Emily King, and explains the fit of new pitching coach Jessica Dreswick (from Tulsa). They also cover catcher depth with Leah Gore and transfer Alexa Brunetti, App State’s fall schedule (Charlotte, Duke, Clemson, and others), and pride in alum Makayla McClain's AUSL opportunity.

00:00 Intro and Pitching Focus

00:51 Reviewing 2026 Staff

03:17 Sun Belt Grind

05:21 Cam Fisher Year One

06:56 Illegal Pitch Explained

08:10 New Arms and Abby Huhn

09:26 Riseball Risk Reward

10:50 Freshman Avery Ramey

12:41 Meet Slim Emily King

14:33 Should Pitchers Hit

16:32 New Pitching Coach Hire

19:12 Cutting Down Free Passes

20:39 Building a Deeper Staff

22:20 Catcher Plans and Brunetti

24:16 Why Boone Appeals

25:29 Fall Ball Schedule

27:47 McClain in the AUSL

30:18 Wrap Up and Thanks

Charles Mays of Southeastern Softball Wire interviews Malloree Harr of Boyd Buchanan School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, about her standout season as an eighth-grader competing at the high school level. Harr discusses the work ethic and influence of her mother, a former UTC player, her transition from middle school to high school, and the strong team culture at Boyd Buchanan, including her pitching-catcher bond with Keke Jordan. She reflects on handling pressure during the state championship run, contrasts that with her Team USA experience, and shares goals to grow in confidence and leadership. Mays highlights her two-way production (20–4 pitching with 123 strikeouts; .485 average with 12 home runs) and accolades including Chattanooga Times Best of Preps and TSWA Division II-A All-State. Harr also talks about camp feedback, academics, and prioritizing pitching in future college choices.

On June 29, Charles Mays of Southeastern Softball Wire interviews Carolina Blaze GM Dana Sorensen in Oklahoma City as the Blaze begin a series vs. the Spark. Sorensen assesses the team about 11 games into the season, noting missed late chances but strong offensive metrics, lineup depth, and major contributions from rookies Karlyn Pickens, Reese Atwood, and Dakota Kennedy. She attributes their smooth pro transition to SEC competition and recent Women’s College World Series experience, and highlights Atwood’s clutch hitting and leadership handling the pitching staff. Sorensen discusses pitching development from Jala Wright and Emma Lemley, the challenges of a 16-day, nine-game road trip, schedule preferences, and infield defense led by Alyssa Brito and Ana Gold. The episode previews Pickens vs. Maya Johnson on ESPN2 at 7:00 PM ET.

00:00 Interview Kickoff

00:50 Season Start Review

02:03 Rookies Making Impact

04:04 Why SEC Prepares Pros

06:53 Reese Atwood Clutch Bat

08:46 Pitching Staff Finding Groove

12:07 Surviving The Road Trip

14:29 Schedule Format Thoughts

16:55 Infield Defense Spotlight

19:41 Jenna Laird And Bench Depth

22:10 Managing Playing Time Matchups

24:12 Bullpen Catching And ESPN Preview

27:20 Final Thanks And Sign Off

Charles Mays interviews NC State’s Coach Lindsay Leftwich, now associate head coach of the Carolina Blaze in the AUSL, as the season opens with first pitch Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET on CBS Sports Network versus the Portland Cascade, followed by a Wednesday game at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN. Leftwich discusses transitioning from college to the pro ranks, the athletes’ eagerness to learn, and what she can bring back to the Wolfpack. She highlights the Blaze’s roster versatility, key players like Aleshia Ocasio, Kayla Kowalik, Reese Atwood, Jenna Laird, and Devyn Netz, and a deep, varied pitching staff including Karlyn Pickens (scheduled to start Wednesday), Keiilani Ricketts, Jala Wright, and Emma Lemley. They also discuss growing investment, TV deals, and how the league is building a sustainable professional future for softball.

Charles Mays sat down with Jerzie Nutile of the Florida Breeze. They discussed the upcoming Professional Softball League season, Karlyn Pickens, and softball in general. Nutile is also a coach in the Florida Gulf Coast League.