Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Peña named the 2023 Mid-Major Assistant Coach of the Year
7/19/2023 1:00:00 PM | Softball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Softball Associate Head Coach Helen Peña was named the Mid-Major Assistant Coach of the Year for 2023 announced by Extra Inning Softball.
"I am honored and grateful to be chosen for Mid-Major Assistant Coach of the Year by Extra Inning Softball," said Peña. "I wouldn't have been the coach that I was last year if it wasn't for our leader Coach Breeden, all of our amazing athletes who welcomed me since day one, and our wonderful support staff who worked tirelessly to do right by our student athletes. We had a very special year that I was fortunate enough to be a part of, and that was because of everyone involved. I give this recognition to them and thank them for everything they've given to this program and myself."
Peña's pitching staff displayed progress going from a 3.96 ERA in 2022 to a 2.44 in 2023. Opposing batters hit just .219 off the Blue Raider pitchers in 2023.
In Peña's first year and the best season in Blue Raider Softball program history, she helped lead MTSU to its second ever Conference USA title, a program best 42 wins, and a spot in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final. The Blue Raider's three wins is the most by a Conference USA team in a NCAA Regional since 2014.
Six Blue Raiders were named to the CUSA Championship All-Tournament team: Laura Mealer, Kamryn Carcich, Ansley Blevins, Amaya Harris, Anyce Harvey, and tournament MVP Shelby Sargent.
The Blue Raiders led Conference USA in batting average, hits, doubles, total bases, runs and RBIs. Peña coached six players to All-Conference USA teams with Mealer named First Team and Julia Garcia, Harris, Gretchen Mead and Shelby Echols to Second Team and Blevins to All-Conference USA Freshman Team. Also, four players earned NFCA All-Region Teams with Mealer on First Team and Mead, Echols and Harris to Second Team.
The 2023 MTSU Softball coaching staff earned NFCA Mideast Regional Staff of the Year honors as well.
FOLLOW THE BLUE RAIDERS
Follow Middle Tennessee Softball on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Softball), Twitter (@MT_Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
"I am honored and grateful to be chosen for Mid-Major Assistant Coach of the Year by Extra Inning Softball," said Peña. "I wouldn't have been the coach that I was last year if it wasn't for our leader Coach Breeden, all of our amazing athletes who welcomed me since day one, and our wonderful support staff who worked tirelessly to do right by our student athletes. We had a very special year that I was fortunate enough to be a part of, and that was because of everyone involved. I give this recognition to them and thank them for everything they've given to this program and myself."
Peña's pitching staff displayed progress going from a 3.96 ERA in 2022 to a 2.44 in 2023. Opposing batters hit just .219 off the Blue Raider pitchers in 2023.
In Peña's first year and the best season in Blue Raider Softball program history, she helped lead MTSU to its second ever Conference USA title, a program best 42 wins, and a spot in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final. The Blue Raider's three wins is the most by a Conference USA team in a NCAA Regional since 2014.
Six Blue Raiders were named to the CUSA Championship All-Tournament team: Laura Mealer, Kamryn Carcich, Ansley Blevins, Amaya Harris, Anyce Harvey, and tournament MVP Shelby Sargent.
The Blue Raiders led Conference USA in batting average, hits, doubles, total bases, runs and RBIs. Peña coached six players to All-Conference USA teams with Mealer named First Team and Julia Garcia, Harris, Gretchen Mead and Shelby Echols to Second Team and Blevins to All-Conference USA Freshman Team. Also, four players earned NFCA All-Region Teams with Mealer on First Team and Mead, Echols and Harris to Second Team.
The 2023 MTSU Softball coaching staff earned NFCA Mideast Regional Staff of the Year honors as well.
FOLLOW THE BLUE RAIDERS
Follow Middle Tennessee Softball on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Softball), Twitter (@MT_Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
Players Mentioned
C/1B
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RHP
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C/3B
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OF/INF
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OF/UTL
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RHP
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SS/2B
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