Tennessee softball transfer tracker: Who joined, left 2024 Lady Vols roster in portal?
Tennessee softball has benefitted greatly the past two seasons from the transfer portal.
The Lady Vols gained key starters out of the portal the last two seasons, like infielders Zaida Puni and Mackenzie Donihoo from Oklahoma, catcher Giulia Koutsoyanopolus from Arizona and pitcher Payton Gottshall from Bowling Green State. All four players had significant roles in getting Tennessee to its eighth Women's College World Series appearance this season.
The Lady Vols didn't lose any significant pieces last season, and Tennessee coach Karen Weekly told Knox News she doesn't expect to lose any impact players to the portal this offseason. Here's a look at who's coming and going from Tennessee softball this season.
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Who is transferring out from Tennessee softball?
Lair Beautae, INF – Extra Inning Softball reported that Beautae entered the portal a few days after Tennessee returned from Oklahoma City. The sophomore started at second base in 35 games this season. Beautae missed a number of games at the beginning of the season due to injury and missed multiple games in the postseason due to a concussion.
The Riverside, California, native recorded a .276 career batting average, nine home runs, 62 RBIs and 52 runs scored. Beautae also hit 12 doubles and posted a career .445 slugging percentage. She was also responsible for the unforgettable grand slam in the SEC Tournament semifinal to even the score against Alabama en route to Tennessee winning the SEC Tournament title.
Nicola Simpson, P – Simpson announced prior to the NCAA Super Regionals that she intended to transfer. The sophomore from Seattle finished her bachelor's degree and wants to pursue a master's degree Tennessee does not offer.
Simpson pitched 38 innings in her two season as a Lady Vol and finished with a career 4.42 ERA. She recorded 18 strikeouts in her 25 career appearances.
Who did Tennessee softball get out of the portal?
Laura Mealer, INF – Mealer announced her commitment to the Lady Vols on Friday on social media. The sophomore from MTSU was first team all-conference this season and was also named to the NFCA All-Region First Team. Mealer helped lead MTSU to the NCAA Regional, where the Blue Raiders upset Central Arkansas and won their second game against Alabama to force an elimination game.
The Chapel Hill, Tennessee native led the team in batting average (.388), slugging percentage (.697), runs scored (68), hits (78), RBIs (57), doubles (20), home runs (12), total bases (140) and stolen bases (30). Her runs scored, hits, RBIs and doubles also led Conference USA. Mealer was a significant contributor in MTSU winning its second-ever Conference USA Championship.
Sophia Nugent, C – Nugent continues the Oklahoma to Tennessee pipeline for the third season in a row, and she fills a pressing need for the Lady Vols to have more depth at catcher. Nugent spent the last two seasons as a Sooner, starting in 19 of 73 games she appeared in.
She won two NCAA championships with Oklahoma. This season, Nugent hit .274, scored 19 runs, hit five doubles and seven home runs and recorded 23 RBIs.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee softball transfer portal new players, departures for 2024
