LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has named the Trine softball coaching staff the best in the NCAA Division III Central Region.
Head coach Don Danklefsen and assistant coaches Dennis Smith and Brittney Harvey guided the Thunder to its second NCAA Regional title in school history and the program's second appearance in the Super Regional round. The coaching staff also received support from student assistant Astrid Koose. The coaching staff managed Trine to an overall record of 33-14. In addition to the success in the NCAA postseason, the Thunder won a share of its fifth-straight MIAA regular season championship.
This is the second time the Trine coaching staff has received honors as the Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year. The NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year awards are voted on by NFCA-member coaches in each of the NCAA's eight regions.
For the fourth-straight season, the Thunder produced an All-American as senior third baseman Kendra Marshall (Leesburg, Ind. / Warsaw) earned Second Team honors. Marshall earned the program's sixth All-American honor under Danklefsen.
Individually, Trine also produced three NFCA All-Region and six All-MIAA performers. In addition to Marshall, pitcher Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif. / Lakewood) and catcher Rachell Noble (Indianapolis, Ind. / Decatur Central) earned All-Region recognition. First baseman Kaylee Fox (Vermilion, Ohio / Edison), pitcher Bre Cooper (Beech Grove, Ind. / Beech Grove) and outfielder Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn. / Wilson Central) also earned All-MIAA honors.
The coaching staff guided the Thunder to the top on-base percentage and scoring total in the MIAA. Trine also averaged more home runs per game than any team in the conference.
The eight regional Coaching Staff of the Year award winners advance to consideration for the NFCA NCAA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year award. The award will be announced June 13.