KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Southern Oregon University’s Jessica Pistole was named the 2021 NAIA Softball National Coach of the Year, announced Friday by the NAIA national office.
Pistole – who grabbed the honor in 2019 as well – led the Raiders to the back-to-back national titles after defeating Oregon Tech 7-5 on June 2 in Columbus, Ga. The Raiders set a program wins record for the fourth consecutive season, finishing the 2021 season with a 55-6 mark.
During the regular season, the Raiders became the first team ever to get through the Cascade Collegiate Conference schedule with fewer than two losses, going 26-1. At the NAIA World Series, SOU became the second team in 20 years to clinch the title by winning five-straight elimination games.
This is Pistole's sixth season at SOU and boasts a career record of 274-88. She has taken the Raiders to four World Series.
Southern Oregon ranks in the top ten nationally in 17 different categories. Including No. 1 in 8 categories including runs scored per game (7.93), total doubles (120), total triples (35), and total hits (695). She coached three first team All-America honorees: Gabby Sandoval, Allie Stines, and 2021 NAIA Player of the Year, Lauren Quirke.