STARKVILLE, Miss. – Head coach Bryan Nakasone and assistant coaches Howard Okita, Roger Javillo, Jon Correles and Richard Nomura of the 2010 NCAA Division II National Champions Hawaii Pacific have been named as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II National Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association announced on Thursday.
The Sea Warriors went 50-6 on the year and won their fourth consecutive Pacific West championship to earn their second straight berth into the NCAA tournament.
After finishing the season as the top-ranked team in the West Region, Hawaii Pacific hosted both the regional and super regionals. In each round, the Sea Warriors persevered after a losing a game to advance to thier first ever NCAA Championship.
HPU scorched through the championships with a perfect 4-0 record, including a thrilling come-from-behind win against Valdosta State in the title game, to claim the school’s first ever NCAA title in any sport.
The Sear Warriors were led on the year by first-team Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American pitcher Sherise Musquiz and third-team selection Maile Kim. Musquiz, the MVP of the National Championship, was just one of three pitchers named to the first team and finished the season with fifth lowest ERA in all of Division II at 1.03.
In two seasons at the Helm of Hawaii Pacific, Naksone has led his team to back-to-back Pac West titles and NCAA appearances and has a record of 92-18.
For their work this season, Nakasone and staff also earned the West Region Coaching Staff of the Year award.
Other regional winners this season were:
Atlantic Region – Bloomsburg University
Head Coaches: Jan Hutchinson
Assistant Coach: Susan Kocher
Bloomsburg wrapped up NFCA Hall of Famer Jan Hutchinson’s final year at the helm with a 50-8 record and the PSAC Championship. The Huskies made their 11th National Championship appearance this season and finished the event with a 1-2 record. In 29 years as head coach, Hutchinson has become the winningest coach in Division II softball with 1215 wins and just 288 losses. Leading the way for the Huskies this season were Louisville Slugger/NFCA second-team All-Americans Shavaun Fisher and Danielle Lazorka, as well as third-team selection Lacy Mauro.
Central Region – Metropolitan State College of Denver
Head Coach: Jen Fisher
Assistant Coaches: Wes Madrill, Vanessa Becerra & Bra Padgett
Metro State won both the RMAC regular season and tournament championships for the second year in a row in 2010. The Roadrunners advanced to the National Semi-Finals in just their first appearance at the National Tournament. The team also set a new NCAA record on the year by hitting 112 home runs. Louisville Slugger/NFCA Second Team All-Central region selection Tara Mickelson played a big role in getting her team to the record by leading the nation in long balls with 25.
East Region – Molloy College
Head Coach: Susan Cassidy-Lyke
Assistant Coaches: Ray Cassidy & Michelle Martini-Tripi
Molloy went 43-21 on the year and advanced to the ECC championship game. The Lions received the program’s first at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they beat then No. 20 Dowling to claim the regional crown. Molloy then advanced to its first-ever National Championship by knocking off then No. 10 New Haven. Leading the Lions this season were Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-East Region first team selections Jeana Frey and Megan Butterworth and second team honorees Kelley Jansen and Carla Campagna.
Midewest Region – Wayne State University
Head Coach: Gary Bryce
Associate Head Coach: Pat Kent
Student Assistant Coach: Sarah Berry
Wayne State (MI) went 52-13 on the year and claimed the GLIAC regular season championship. The Warriors went 5-1 in the post-season to advance to the second NCAA Championship in program history. Playing key roles in their team’s success this season were Louisville Slugger/NFCA First Team All-American Casey Hanes and third-team selection Alison Allen. Hanes led all of Division II with the lowest ERA in the land at just 0.58.
South Region – Valdosta State University
Head Coach: Thomas Macera
Assistant Coaches: Ashley Mayhue
Graduate Assistant Coach: Kristina Ely
Valdosta State was 51-9 in 2010 and spent the majority of the season ranked in the top five of the NFCA poll. The Blazers won the Gulf South tournament championship and went on to win their regional and super regional. Valdosta went 3-0 in its first National Championship appearance before falling to Hawaii Pacific in an epic title game. Catcher Alyssa Shirey, a 2010 Louisville Slugger NFCA First Team All-American, played a big part in her team’s campaign by leading the Blazers in five different statistical categories.
Southeast Region – North Georgia College & State University
Head Coach: Mike Davenport
Assistant Coaches: Brad Davis & Kaelin Farrington
Volunteer Assistant Coach: Jessie DePippo
After spending the entire regular season as the top team in the country, North Georgia ended its 2010 season at 51-2. The Saints won 51 straight games on the year en route to the Peach Belt regular season and tournament championships, a regional title and a super regional crown. North Georgia made its second National Championship in just three years of post-season eligibility. Helping lead the charge for the Saints were Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Americans Sarah Phillips, Lauren Dykes and Katherine Martin. Philips was just one of three first team pitchers and led the nation in wins with 44.
South Central Region – Midwestern State University
Head Coach: Brady Tigert
Graduate Assistant Coach: Kasi Carroll
Volunteer Assistant Coach: Kim Stiles
Midwestern State was 54-10 this year and won the north division of the Lone Star Conference. The Mustangs advanced to the semi-finals of the conference tournament and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Midwestern won their regional, before falling to National Semi-Finalist Angelo State in the super regionals. Helping lead the Mustangs this season was Louisville Slugger/NFCA Second Team All-American Katie Peterson who went 25-5 on the year with a 1.25 ERA.
