APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Former Louisville pitching coach Kassie Stanfill has been named the 10th head coach in Austin Peay State University (APSU) softball history, athletics director Gerald Harrison announced, Friday.
Stanfill spent the past two seasons at her alma mater Louisville on the staff of legendary head coach Sandy Pearsall, who retired in June after starting the program in 2000. She replaces Rodney Delong, who resigned after the 2018 season to take the head coaching job at North Texas.
“I’d first like to say ‘Thank you,’ to Gerald, (Senior Woman Administrator) Lisa Varytimidis and (Director of Operations) Sara Robson just for giving me the chance to even interview for this position, and then having the belief in me that I can come in and continue the growth of this program,” Stanfill said.
“I’m excited to come in and meet the team and build off the success this program enjoyed last year. There is a great opportunity here and I’m thankful to be entrusted with taking the next step with a program on the rise.”
While at Louisville, Stanfill tutored Megan Hensley, who was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Southeast Region selection and All-ACC choice after going 17-8 with a 3.35 ERA and 10 complete games for the Cardinals, striking out a team-high 138 batters in 184.0 innings.
She returned to her alma mater after a year as the associate head coach at Illinois, where she helped the Fighting Illini to 36 wins—fifth-most in program history—and an NCAA Regional appearance. Breanna Wonderly earned NFCA All-Midwest Region honors after going 16-13 with a 2.85 ERA and 21 complete-games, ninth-most in school history.
Stanfill’s first pitching coach job at the collegiate level came at Ball State, where she helped the Cardinals to a 104-61 mark over three seasons, including three straight Mid-American Conference West Division titles and a 2015 MAC Tournament Championship and subsequent NCAA Regional appearance in 2015.
With Stanfill as her guide, Nicole Steinbach posted three straight All-MAC seasons and was an NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team honoree in 2015. She also was on staff for two of Jenny Gilbert’s three MAC Player of the Year seasons, including NFCA All-American campaigns in 2013—when Stanfill worked directly with the outfielders in Muncie—and 2014.
In Stanfill’s first full-time season as pitching coach in 2014, Ball State’s staff posted a 2.06 ERA during conference play, which helped the Cardinals to the fifth MAC regular-season title in program history.
“I could not be more excited to welcome Kassie to Austin Peay,” Harrison said. “I am extremely confident that she will lead our program with integrity and passion as we continue our relentless pursuit of excellence. Kassie’s desire to win with class and develop the total student athlete makes her the perfect coach for this program to build on an outstanding 2018 season.”
Stanfill was a four-year starter for the Cardinals from 2006 through 2009 and served as a two-time team captain. She played several positions throughout her career, splitting time between the outfield and pitcher her first three seasons. After injury forced an early end to her pitching career, Stanfill became the Cardinals’ starting first baseman in 2009.
The two-time All-Big East Third Team selection was a .293 career hitter and posted a 27-13 record in 68 pitching appearances with a 2.72 ERA and 227 strikeouts. She still ranks in the school’s career top 10 in several categories including: triples, saves, strikeouts (pitching), lowest ERA and opponent batting average and games finished.
As a player, Stanfill helped the Cardinals to a pair of BIG EAST Championships (2006 and 2007) and four straight NCAA regional appearances. Her senior season saw Louisville become an NCAA regional host for the first time in program history.
Stanfill earned her Bachelor of Health and Sports Studies from Louisville in 2009 after majoring in exercise science and earned a minor in communications.
