AUM’s Newell Tabbed NAIA Softball Coach of the Year
Montgomery, AL – First-year Auburn Montgomery softball head coach Eric Newell has been selected the 2015 NAIA Softball National Coach of the Year after leading the program to its second consecutive NAIA World Series Championship in late May. “Being named NAIA Coach of the Year is a very humbling honor and one you strive as a coach to attain,” Newell said. “I have been blessed with not only an incredibly dedicated staff, but also a very talented team, both on and off the field. Our student-athletes and fellow members of the coaching staff, as well as our athletics and University administration have been so supportive of our program since my arrival and I cannot thank them enough. This is a tremendous honor for AUM softball.” In Newell‘s inaugural season with the program, the Warhawks advanced to the NAIA Softball National Championship Tournament for the fourth consecutive season, hosted one of 10 Opening Round host sites and captured the No. 2 overall seed at the NAIA Softball World Series. AUM spent the entire season ranked inside the top five of the NAIA Coaches’ Poll, including the top spot in two editions. During their national title run, the Warhawks posted a 7-1 record, outscoring their opponents 41-4 in those games. While at the World Series, AUM defeated No. 3 seed Lindsey Wilson twice, No. 7 seed Oregon Tech and No. 9 seed Concordia to earn its second straight title. In 2015, the Warhawks posted a 20-5 record against opponents ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches’ Poll. Additionally, Newell picked up his 300th career coaching victory in the championship game against Lindsey Wilson. Individually, senior Cassie Jones was named the NAIA Player of the Year and earned First-Team NAIA All-American honors, while fellow senior Katie Spain garnered honorable mention accolades. Jones was also selected the Most Valuable Player of the World Series for the second consecutive season. Jones, Spain and Laci Driggers were named to the All-World Series team. In addition to winning the national award from the NAIA, Newell was also named the Southern States Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, while he and his staff were selected NFCA‘s National and East Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Courtesy: AUM Athletics
