Stefanie Ewing Named Assistant Softball Coach At Butler

Stefanie Ewing, who saw action in more than 200 games as a catcher/designated player at Oregon State University, has been named assistant softball coach at Butler University.  She completed her collegiate playing career last spring.

Ewing will have responsibilities in all aspects of Butler’s softball program, with a concentration on pitching and catching.  She boasts an extensive background as a high-level Division I catcher, working with some of the nation’s top pitchers.

“We are very excited about the vast playing experience Stefanie brings to our program,” said Butler head coach Jeanne Rayman.  “The Pac 10 has a proven record of excellence in softball.  They have produced 21 of the 26 Women’s College World Series champions.  Stef has been competing in the trenches with Division I champions and with that comes invaluable knowledge.”

“She has a clear passion to teach,” continued the Butler coach.  “It became very apparent that Stef was ready to put all her talent as a player to use by transforming herself into a coach.  She clearly sees her path, and knows what it is going to take to make the jump from player to coach.”

The new Butler coach played in 207 games in her four seasons at Oregon State, including 192 as a starter.  She batted .282 as a senior with five doubles, six home runs and 31 runs batted in.  Her 31 RBI’s were second-most on the team.  She started all 55 games as a senior and earned honorable mention All-Pac 10 honors.

Ewing was a starter on Oregon State’s 2006 squad, which posted a 43-16 record and advanced to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in school history.  She batted .281 with 20 runs batted in, while helping the Beavers to NCAA Regional and Super Regional championships.  She earned first team All-Pacific Region honors during her initial collegiate season.

The four-year letterwinner batted .247 for her career and finished with 21 doubles, 14 home runs and 89 runs batted in.  She posted a .993 career fielding average with just four errors in nearly 600 chances.

During her four seasons at Oregon State, Ewing helped the Beavers to a 137-100 record, a pair of “Top 25” national rankings and two trips to the NCAA Tournament.

“Stef clearly stood out in a group of very talented candidates,” noted Rayman.  “With her knowledge, passion and ability to teach, I am excited to begin working with her.  She has shown she is prepared to begin the second phase of her softball career.  She was an impact player, and she is ready to make an impact as a coach.  Butler softball was the perfect fit for her skills and dynamic personality.”