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Caitlyn Jackson joins UNCG softball staff as pitching coach
GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG has added former Marshall standout Caitlyn Jackson as its pitching coach, head coach Jennifer Herzig announced Thursday.
Jackson was four-year starter and a star utility player for the Thundering Herd from 2007-10, pitching all four years and starting at designated player and in the outfield. She started 212 of a possible 219 games during her career.
"I am very excited to bring in an all-around athlete, not just a former pitcher, of Caitlyn's caliber," Herzig said. "Between her own personal experience and knowledge of the college game, and her outstanding work ethic and drive, I have no doubt that Caitlyn will make an immediate impact upon our current pitching staff. Additionally, as a very accomplished hitter herself, I am excited about Caitlyn's ability to assist with our hitters, as well. Adding one more coach to our staff that has the ability to coach on both sides of the ball will absolutely strengthen our team, and I am looking forward to the possibilities that await the Spartans in 2011."
Jackson finished fourth in Marshall history in career pitching appearances with 103 and fifth in batting average with a .320 mark. The Ontario, Calif., native was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Mideast Region First Team selection at pitcher/utility in 2009 and landed on the second team in 2008. She was also a Conference USA All-Freshman pick in 2007.
As a senior in 2010, Jackson hit .322, the second-best mark on the squad, and led the team with 56 hits. In the circle, she posted a career-high 105 strikeouts, second-most on the squad.
She hit a career-high .337 as a sophomore in 2008, when she also posted a career-high 13 wins.
Jackson already had ties to the Spartans prior to her hire. UNCG faced Jackson and Marshall in three of her four seasons, dropping single games to the Thundering Herd in 2007 and 2009 before sweeping a doubleheader in Greensboro last season.
In addition, Jackson's coach at Marshall was Shonda Stanton, a star for UNCG under her maiden name of Spagnola from 1992-95.
Jackson comes to a UNCG squad that went 27-30 overall and 12-11 in Southern Conference play last season. The Spartans turned in their highest SoCon finish (fourth) and first winning league record since 2003 and made their first-ever SoCon Championship title game appearance.
Jackson inherits a pitching staff that was second in the SoCon in strikeouts and fourth in wins last season, but graduated its top pitcher in Amber Harrell, who was the SoCon Championship MVP and an All-SoCon selection and finished her career as UNCG's all-time strikeouts leader.
Jackson graduated from Marshall in 2010 with a degree in criminal justice.
She will start at UNCG on Jan. 3.
- UNCG -
