San Diego Athletics

Head softball coach Melissa McElvain announced the addition of former Torero standout Cassidy Coleman to her staff in July of 2014. Coleman, USD's all-time leader in strikeouts, will be an assistant coach, mainly working with the Torero pitching staff. "I feel so blessed and honored to remain part of the USD family. I am beyond excited about the excellent direction this program is going," Coleman said. "I'm happy to be giving back to USD after all it has given me. This is a dream come true." "Cassidy has played a huge role in improving our program over the past four years. Now as a coach, she is even more eager and motivated to lead our program to conference championships and post-season appearances," Coach McElvain said. Megan Sabbatini had a breakthrough 2016 season under Coach Coleman's watch. The junior held opponents to a WCC-best .231 average and Sabbatini posted a 2.90 ERA with 171 strikeouts, tied for the fourth most in program history. 2016 also saw Lauren Berriatua throw the fourth no-hitter in program history. In her first season on the coaching staff, the Toreros won 29 games, their most since the 2000 season. Coleman helped Torero pitchers post a WCC-best 2.75 team ERA, marking the third straight season USD has led their league in ERA. Under her watch, freshman Paige von Sprecken won 21 games, the third most in program history. von Sprecken also entered the top ten in appearances, games started, strikeouts, innings pitched, and shutouts. In her senior season (2014), Coleman earned WCC Pitcher of the Year and was named to the NFCA All-Region Second Team, becoming just the second Torero to earn that honor (Taylor Hensley, 2010 & 2012). On April 4, she threw the third no-hitter in program history, blanking eventual WCC champion BYU. Coleman ended her career with 45 wins, 646 strikeouts, and a 2.10 ERA and is in the top five all-time in every pitching category. "Cassidy will be an incredibly knowledgeable pitching coach. She understands our system and believes in the values of USD Softball," McElvain added. "As a recent graduate and a standout pitcher at USD, her playing experience and communication skills will help her teach and relate well to our pitching staff and team."