- Source: La Salle Explorers softball
For information on all La Salle University sports, see La Salle Explorers
The La Salle Explorers softball team represented La Salle University in NCAA Division I college softball from 1973 until 2021. From 1986 until 1992, the team was a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). From 1993 until 1995, the team was a member of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (MCC). From 1995 until the school's final season in 2021, they were a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10). The Explorers were most recently led by interim head coach Sarah Prezioso. The team formerly played its home games at West Campus Field, which is located on the college's campus.
On September 29, 2020, it was announced that the school would be cutting seven athletic programs, including the softball team, citing enrollment and financial issues that were accelerated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The team played its final season in 2021.
History
After joining the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 1987, La Salle found significant success throughout their tenure, winning three regular season championships and four MAAC tournament championships. The Explorers defeated Fairfield to win the tournament in 1989, Army to win in 1990, and Canisius to win in 1992. In 1990, head coach Rick Pohlig was named MAAC Coach of the Year. In 1990 and 1992, pitcher Andrea Huck was named MAAC Player of the Year. For her career accomplishments, Huck was named to the MAAC's 40th Anniversary softball team, along with former teammates Kelli McGahey, Kerri McGahey, and Mary McGrath.
In 1991, it was announced that La Salle would be leaving the MAAC to join the Midwestern Collegiate Conference in an attempt to shift the conference from a regional one to a national one. In 1995, it was announced that La Salle would again be switching conferences, this time to the Atlantic 10 Conference. In 1997, catcher Debbie Klawiter was named A-10 Rookie of the Year. In the same year, head coach Ray Perri was named A-10 Coach of the Year, the team's only coaching award during their tenure in the Atlantic 10 Conference. In 2001, infielder Amanda Clark was named A-10 Rookie of the Year.
On September 29, 2020, it was announced that the school would be cutting seven athletic programs, including the softball team, citing enrollment and financial issues that were accelerated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The program cuts drew criticism from student-athletes in addition to threats of a Title IX lawsuit.
Prior to the start of the program's final season in 2021, Brooke Darreff was replaced as head coach by interim Sarah Prezioso. The Explorers finished their final season in 2021 with a 0–30 record, ending the softball program's 48 year history with three regular season championships, four conference tournament championships, and no appearances in the NCAA tournament.
= Coaching history
=Roster
Season by season results
Notes
See also
List of NCAA Division I softball programs
References
External links
Official website