Softball

Assistant Coach Kelly Roberts is entering her third season with the Trojans.

A former player at Tusculum University, Roberts was most recently an assistant coach/pitching coach at Gardner-Webb University.

"I want to thank the AU Senior Leadership for opening up this position and allowing it to be filled," said head softball coach Tommy Hewitt. "Having Kelly on our staff will greatly help in our efforts to reach our main goal and that is the "Big Dance". Kelly's pitching experience, both playing and coaching, will be a huge asset to our program."

"Among other daily duties Kelly will handle pitching and outfield positions," added Hewitt.

Prior to Gardner-Webb (2019-2021), Roberts spent a season at Wingate University (2018-2019) and was at Upper Iowa from (2015 – 2018). At Upper Iowa, she was the assistant coach and pitching coach, while also working with fundraising, community engagement, recruiting, field maintenance and monitoring academics. Roberts helped lead Upper Iowa to the NSIC Tournament championship in 2016. The team earned first place in the NFCA Academic Award in 2016 and 2017, compiling a team GPA of 3.764 in 2016 and 3.8 in 2017.Roberts graduated from Tusculum in 2014 and spent time as a camp advisor and team coach at USA Preps Softball Camp in Palmdale, Calif. She became the graduate assistant coach at the University of Rio Grande in August of 2014, earning her Master's Degree in Athletic Coaching Leadership.

Roberts began her collegiate playing career at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she helped lead the team to back-to-back PSAC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. The Crimson Hawks won the region title in 2011, advancing to the NCAA Division II World Series. Roberts earned All-PSAC honors as a sophomore, then transferred to Tusculum for her final two seasons. The Pioneers won the SAC title in 2013, with Roberts earning a spot on the All-SAC Tournament Team. She was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2014 while breaking the school's single-season and career shutout record.

Roberts earned her Bachelor Degree from Tusculum in 2014, majoring in Sport Management before earning her Master's Degree at The University of Rio Grande in May of 2016.