STARKVILLE, Miss. – Head coach Erin Van Nostrand and assistant coaches Greg Seeley, Tiffany McVay, Dena Harkovitch and Dena Slye of 2012 NCAA Division III National Champion Pacific Lutheran have been named as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association has announced.
Van Nostrand led the Lutes to their best season in school history, culminating in the program's first-ever NCAA Division III national crown. Pacific Lutheran won a school record 45 games against just 11 losses and won all eight NCAA postseason games en route to the crown. The national title run was punctuated by a 3-0 win over Northwest Conference rival Linfield (46-7) in the championship game. Of Linfield's seven losses, six came against Pacific Lutheran, including two at the national tournament.
Pacific Lutheran wrapped up its berth in NCAA postseason play after winning the Northwest Conference postseason tournament as the No. 2 seed. With the conference championship in hand, the Lutes captured the automatic berth after finishing second by a one-game margin to Linfield in regular season play. This was the first postseason trip for the Lutes in eight seasons.
In just four seasons at PLU, Van Nostrand has amassed a 117-61 record, and a 218-126 overall career record in eight seasons as a head coach.
For their work this season, Van Nostrand and her staff also earned the West Region Coaching Staff of the Year award.
Other regional winners this season were:
Atlantic Region - Roanoke College
Head Coach: Mike Mitchell
Assistant Coaches: Barry Wood, Russell Gaddy, Kelsey Schmitt
Record: 35-11
- First ODAC championship since 2006
- 4th at national championship
Central Region - Ohio Northern University
Head Coach: Kim Burke
Assistant Coach: Tina Mangola
Record: 31-14
- 4th consecutive OAC regular season title
- Tied for 7th at national championship
East Region - Montclair State University
Head Coach: Anita Kubicka
Assistant Coaches: Ryan Doty, Rich Vaccaro
Record: 44-9
- School record for wins
- 3rd at national championship
Great Lakes Region - University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Head Coach: Faye Perkins
Assistant Coaches: Pam Latterell, Ashley Bertrand
Record: 34-15
- School record for wins
- Lost in regional final
Midwest Region - Luther College
Head Coach: Renae Hartl
Assistant Coaches: Tracy Hjelle, Teri Olson, Erika Randall
Record: 41-9
- IIAC champions
- Tied for 5th at national championship
New England Region - Tufts University
Head Coach: Cheryl Milligan
Assistant Coaches: Marissa Myers, Kristina Tolles
Record: 41-7
- NESCAC champions
- Tied for 5th at national championship
Northeast Region - Plattsburgh State University
Head Coach: Stephanie Zweig
Assistant Coaches: Nicole Diemer, Mark Roberts
Record: 35-11
- SUNYAC champions
- Tied for 7th at national championship
