Tennessee softball is losing two of its most experienced players.
Pitcher Callie Turner and catcher Ally Shipman have both entered the transfer portal.
"First off, I'd like to thank both Ralph and Karen (Weekly) for the opportunity to be a Lady Vol," Shipman wrote Friday on Twitter. "This university, this program, and this fan base will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you to my teammates and support staff for the relationships we have developed over the past three years. After lots of thought and prayer, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.
"This has not been an easy decision for me, but I believe it is the right one. Love you all and always GBO."
MORE LADY VOLS SOFTBALL: Tennessee Lady Vols softball names Missouri assistant Chris Malveaux as hitting coach
More: Five things to know about Tennessee softball co-head coach Ralph Weekly
Tennessee catcher Ally Shipman guns the ball to third as she plays against Alabama during the SEC Tournament in Rhoads Stadium Friday, May 14, 2021. [Pool Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
Tennessee catcher Ally Shipman guns the ball to third as she plays against Alabama during the SEC Tournament in Rhoads Stadium Friday, May 14, 2021. [Pool Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
GARY COSBY, TUSCALOOSA NEWS
Shipman, a junior from Valencia, California, has been in the starting lineup for each of her 98 career games at Tennessee since signing with the program in 2019.
She was fourth on the team in 2021 in batting average (.304) hitting eight home runs and 20 total extra base hits despite missing 14 days because of COVID-19.
Shipman started her Lady Vols career on a tear in 2019. She was hitting 328 with 21 hits, and 20 RBIs in 22 games when she suffered a broken left wrist and a torn ACL in her right knee.
Tennessee's Callie Turner throws to a batter during an NCAA college softball game against Kennesaw State, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee's Callie Turner throws to a batter during an NCAA college softball game against Kennesaw State, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
WADE PAYNE, AP
Turner joined the Lady Vols in 2020 from Land O'Lakes (Florida) High and quickly established herself as a reliable arm in the pitching rotation.
She was 10-3 with a 2.28 ERA with 17 starts this season.
Turner's career record is 18-10 with 33 starts and an ERA of 2.50.
Shipman will have two seasons of eligibility remaining, while Turner will have three.
Pitcher Callie Turner and catcher Ally Shipman have both entered the transfer portal.
"First off, I'd like to thank both Ralph and Karen (Weekly) for the opportunity to be a Lady Vol," Shipman wrote Friday on Twitter. "This university, this program, and this fan base will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you to my teammates and support staff for the relationships we have developed over the past three years. After lots of thought and prayer, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.
"This has not been an easy decision for me, but I believe it is the right one. Love you all and always GBO."
MORE LADY VOLS SOFTBALL: Tennessee Lady Vols softball names Missouri assistant Chris Malveaux as hitting coach
More: Five things to know about Tennessee softball co-head coach Ralph Weekly
Tennessee catcher Ally Shipman guns the ball to third as she plays against Alabama during the SEC Tournament in Rhoads Stadium Friday, May 14, 2021. [Pool Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
Tennessee catcher Ally Shipman guns the ball to third as she plays against Alabama during the SEC Tournament in Rhoads Stadium Friday, May 14, 2021. [Pool Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
GARY COSBY, TUSCALOOSA NEWS
Shipman, a junior from Valencia, California, has been in the starting lineup for each of her 98 career games at Tennessee since signing with the program in 2019.
She was fourth on the team in 2021 in batting average (.304) hitting eight home runs and 20 total extra base hits despite missing 14 days because of COVID-19.
Shipman started her Lady Vols career on a tear in 2019. She was hitting 328 with 21 hits, and 20 RBIs in 22 games when she suffered a broken left wrist and a torn ACL in her right knee.
Tennessee's Callie Turner throws to a batter during an NCAA college softball game against Kennesaw State, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee's Callie Turner throws to a batter during an NCAA college softball game against Kennesaw State, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
WADE PAYNE, AP
Turner joined the Lady Vols in 2020 from Land O'Lakes (Florida) High and quickly established herself as a reliable arm in the pitching rotation.
She was 10-3 with a 2.28 ERA with 17 starts this season.
Turner's career record is 18-10 with 33 starts and an ERA of 2.50.
Shipman will have two seasons of eligibility remaining, while Turner will have three.
