Sasso Announces 2018 Softball Staff
PAXTON, Mass – Earlier this week first year head softball coach Larry Sasso announced his coaching staff for the 2018 season. Joining him in the dugout will be assistant coach Benny Sasso, pitching coach Jennifer Eddy, former AMCAT Kaitlyn Moran will be the bench coach, and hitting coach Lynne Halley.
Benny Sasso is a 1990 graduate of North High School in Worcester, Mass where he played varsity baseball and was a member of the East Side Post 201 American Legion team. Coach Sasso has coached baseball since 1999 when he started as a little league coach. He has also spent time as a softball umpire, certified by the National Federation of High School Softball as well as USA softball. "Benny is my cousin and we work very well together. I am thrilled to have him on my staff," Coach Sasso said, "Benny was an incredible baseball player and is now an even better coach. His many years of experience as a softball umpire will be a huge asset to our team," Sasso added. Along with AMC, Benny is also currently the head coach of the East Side Babe Ruth baseball team and an assistant with the East Side Post 201 American Legion team.
Jennifer Eddy was a four-year starting pitcher for the varsity softball team at Morris Hills High School in Rockaway, N.J. She helped her team win county and state tournaments in all four years at MHHS. Jenn still holds the record for the most innings pitched, 711, with 68 wins. She was named to the All-State and All-Counties team each year of her high school career. Coach Eddy attended Bryant University where she played four years of softball, helping her team to an Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) championship. "We are so fortunate to have Jenn as our pitching coach," Said Coach Sasso, "she is a great example of what hard work and determination can do for someone. Coach Eddy has some very impressive accomplishments on the softball field. I feel like she will take this pitching staff to new heights and achieve even greater success as our pitching coach," added Sasso. Currently, Jenn gives private instruction to girls interested in playing softball.
Former AMCAT, Kaitlyn Moran, will be joining the staff as the bench coach. Coach Moran is a 2013 graduate of Saint Peter Marian High School in Worcester, Mass and a 2017 graduate of Anna Maria College where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She is a former member of the AMCAT softball team. In three years on the team Moran played in 72 games, batting .328 with an on base percentage of .374. In her senior season she had five starts on the mound posting a 4.03 earned run average in 33 innings. She was named captain her sophomore season and was also named MVP that year. In her senior season she was named to the Worcester Area Softball All-Star Second team. "Katie Moran has an outstanding softball career in high school and at AMC. She will be a terrific person for our team to emulate. Katie is a great example of what can be accomplished at Anna Maria College both on and off the field," coach Sasso said, "Coach Moran will provide our staff with information about each player that we can build on and will provide us with great insight about the teams on our schedule." Sasso added. Throughout her softball career she has volunteered her time conducting hitting and pitching clinics for youth softball players.
Finally, but certainly not least, Lynne Halley will serve as the team's hitting coach. Lynne is a 2009 graduate of Holy Name Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School in Worcester, Mass where she played field hockey and softball. She was a member of the varsity softball team all four years serving as the starting pitcher all four years. Halley was a two-year captain, four-time Central Mass Conference All-Star, two-time Telegram and Gazette Division I All-Star, and two-time Telegram and Gazette Super Team member at Holy Name. In her senior season she poster a 0.62 earned run average and hit .418 at the plate. After playing two years of collegiate softball at Springfield College, Lynne graduate with her Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Athletic Coaching in 2013. "Coach Halley has many outstanding accomplishments both at the high school and collegiate level in softball and we are happy to have her on the coaching staff," said coach Sasso, "Lynne will provide our team with the fundamentals and work ethic that made her and incredible hitter and pitcher at Holy Name and Springfield College. Coach Halley is another example of what can be accomplished when you work hard and believe in yourself. Her experiences will be invaluable to this program." Added Sasso. Lynne has conducted hitting and pitching clinics for youth softball players and was an umpire for the CMSUA, ASA, and NSA.
First year head coach, Larry Sasso, his staff and his team will open their schedule on March 4th in Fort Myers, Florida against Albion College at 3pm.
