COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the 2025 softball season dawns in just a few days, D1Softball.com looked back at the 2024 campaign on Thursday and compiled the teams with the greatest turnarounds in the past season as its top 'Quick-Change Artists.'

 

As the final results were tabulated, it was the Tennessee Tech softball team that compiled the nation's top rebound following the campaign. 

 

The formula – based on one the NCAA itself employs – adds the difference in year-to-year wins and the difference in losses by the same measure, then divides by two. Postseason play is included as it is in the overall record, while ties – which are rare and mostly come from the early season tournaments – are not.

 

In 2023, Tech finished 6-44 overall with several factors in play after a coaching change, key players wrapping up their careers and significant injuries before the season started. While the record wasn't where the program wanted to be, it was a season of growth and change that paved the way for the year ahead.

 

Entering 2024, Golden Eagle head coach Danielle Penner brought in an excellent class of transfers and freshmen that revitalized the program. Pitching numbers improved with the additions of Emily York, Payton Wagner and Morehead State transfer Lennon Spicer, as well as positional additions of Sydney Kirby and Sofia Carroll boosting the lineup.

 

The Tech squad flourished putting together some of its best offensive numbers in some time. Upper-class leadership from Carmen Betts, Mac Fitzgerald, Abby Shoulders, S.J. Talley and others helped give the team momentum.

 

The Golden Eagles won their first five games of the year and a 7-6 mark before finishing the tournament portion of the schedule – a solid effort against non-conference competition. Tech then won three of its first four Ohio Valley Conference series.

 

Tech returned to the OVC Tournament after a year's absence, topping Lindenwood in the first game before falling to Tennessee State and Southern Indiana.

 

The 2024 season ended with a 23-24 record and a 12-13 mark in league play, a huge uptick compared to the year before.

 

Tech topped the list of top turnarounds with an 18.5 mark, standing above Niagara (16.5) and Incarnate Word (15.5) for the top three. UTEP, Bryant, Chattanooga and Eastern Kentucky both had a 14 for a fourth-place tie, while Bradley had 13.5 for eighth. Kansas City, Georgia Southern and Gardner-Webb were tied at 13, and St. Francis and Howard were tied with 12.5 and Michigan and N.C. State rounded out the report with 12.

 

It was progress for sure, but it's just the beginning as the Golden Eagles are aiming for their first OVC championship and NCAA appearance since 2015.

 

The hunt begins on February 7-9 as the Golden Eagles open their 2025 campaign at the Furman Paladin Invitational against South Carolina State, Stonehill and Evansville.

 

Tech opens its home slate on March 5 against Bellarmine.

 

All home games at Tech Softball Field are free admission and open to the public.