Pistole Leads SOU Softball Staff to NFCA West Region Award
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Southern Oregon University's softball coaching staff received more props for a rebuilding job well done when it was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's NAIA West Regional Staff of the Year, the NFCA announced over the weekend.
The Raider staff includes second-year head coach
Jessica Pistole, who was also voted the Cascade Conference Coach of the Year, and assistants
Ernie Adams,
Dan Crippen,
Taylor Keenen,
Chris McKean and
Duane Pardue.
SOU's staff, along with honorees from the five other NAIA regions, is now eligible for the NFCA's National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced June 6.
Pistole took over after SOU's 15-23 season in 2014, and in her first year on the job the Raiders went 33-26 for their highest win total in 10 seasons. The progression continued this season as SOU went 37-18 overall with a 20-8 mark in the CCC, won the CCC West Division title with a 15-5 record, earned CCC Tournament hosting rights for the first time and returned to the national postseason following a 10-year hiatus with an appearance in the NAIA Opening Round. The Raiders peaked at No. 16 in the NAIA Top 25, matching the highest ranking in team history.
Pistole came to SOU following a two-year stint at Twin Falls High School in Idaho. She has also served as head coach at Biola University and William Jessup, and was an assistant for one season at Utah State. She owns a career collegiate coaching record of 177-135.