University of Tennessee Athletics
Softball
- Title:
- Volunteer Assistant Coach
Tennessee softball legend Madison Shipman joined the coaching staff as its volunteer assistant coach in the fall of 2014. Shipman works with hitters, supervises infield defense and serves as the first-base coach.
UT was once again one of the most potent offensive teams in the country in 2017, finishing the season among the top-25 in runs per game (eighth), batting average (17th) and on-base percentage (sixth).
Shipman also helped mentor Tennessee junior shortstop Meghan Gregg, who had an historic season in 2017 for the Vols. Gregg broke the UT single-season RBI record with 79 and became the fifth player in program history to earn SEC Player of the Year honors, joining a group that includes Shipman herself. The Georgia native was also a top-three finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, just the fourth Volunteer to earn that distinction.
After helping lead the Vols to a program-record 100 home runs in 2015, Shipman continued her stellar work with UT's hitters in 2016. Tennessee's high-powered offense ranked among the national leaders in runs per game, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and triples. UT's 426 runs scored were the most since the 2006 team scored 437. The Vols also set a new program record with a .446 on-base percentage and blasted 57 home runs, marking the fourth straight year eclipsing the 50-homer plateau.
In 2015, Shipman helped shape a Tennessee offense that posted best power-hitting season in program history. UT hit a program-record 100 home runs (eighth in nation) and posted a program-record .554 slugging percentage. Tennessee had five players with double-figure home runs for the first time in team history and averaged 6.4 runs per game.
Shipman enjoyed one of the finest careers in Tennessee softball history, hitting .348 with 44 homers, 55 doubles, 207 RBIs, 177 runs and 58 stolen bases from 2011-14. She had one of the greatest single-season performances in 2014 when she hit a career-best .417 with 18 homers, 16 doubles, 54 RBIs, 56 runs and 13 stolen bases. Shipman won the 2014 SEC Player of the Year award and was recognized for her excellence on and off the field, winning the 2014 Honda Sports Award for Softball and the 2014 Senior CLASS Award for Softball. She was also a three-time NFCA All-American (2012, 2013, 2014) and a two-time Capital One Academic All-American (2013, 2014)
The Valencia, Calif., native finished her Tennessee ranked in the top 10 in a variety of statistical categories. She ranks 10th in career at-bats (727), 10th in runs (177), 10th in hits (253), third in doubles (55), third in home runs (44), first in grand slams (4), third in multi-run homers (24), fourth in RBIs (207), ninth in stolen bases (73), fourth in walks (105), third in total bases (444), fifth in slugging percentage (.611), second in defensive assists (397) and third in double plays turned (29).
Shipman, who was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch Draft, saw her softball success continue in the professional ranks. In 44 games with the USSSA Pride, she hit .344 with five homers and 28 RBIs to win the 2014 NPF Rookie of the Year and earn a spot on the 2014 All-NPF team.
Winner of 2014 Honda Sports Award for softball
Senior CLASS Award Winner -- 2014
NFCA All-American (1st Team) -- 2013, 2014
Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American (2nd Team) -- 2012
NFCA All-Southeast Region (1st Team) -- 2013
NFCA All-Southeast Region (2nd Team) -- 2014
Capital One Academic All-American (1st Team) -- 2014
Capital One Academic All-American (2nd Team) -- 2013
Capital One Academic All-District III (1st Team) -- 2013, 2014
Top 10 - USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year -- 2014
Top 25 - USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year -- 2014
WCWS All-Tournament Team -- 2013
SEC Player of the Year -- 2014
First Team All-SEC -- 2012, 2013, 2014
Freshman All-SEC -- 2011
SEC All-Defensive Team -- 2013, 2014
SEC Player of the Week -- (3x) 4/9/12, 3/24/14, 4/14/14
Top 50 "Watch List"-USA SB Player of the Year -- 2013, 2014
SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll -- 2012, 2013, 2014
SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll -- 2011
Preseason All-SEC -- 2013, 2014
No. 2 Overall Pick in the 2014 National Pro Fastpitch Draft; drafted by USSSA Pride
2014 National Pro Fastpitch Rookie of the Year
2014 All-NPF Team
