Rychcik Completes Coaching Staff
November 16, 2010 | Softball
Nov. 16, 2010
BOSTON - Head coach Shawn Rychcik has completed his coaching staff for the 2011 softball season as former Terrier standout Cassidi Hardy ('10) returns as the pitching coach, while Hawaii's Katie Grimes will also join the staff as an assistant.
"I am excited to complete our staff with two people that had outstanding college careers," said Rychcik. "Bringing Cassidi back to the program will benefit our current pitchers and our future ones here. She knows firsthand what it's like to compete in this conference and will also relate to the everyday events at our University. Cassidi had a great career as a player and I am just as confident about her coaching career here. "
Hardy graduated from BU in 2010 as one of its most accomplished pitchers, ranking as the programs all-time leader in appearances (154), complete games (95), innings pitched (840.0) and wins (85) and she is second in shutouts (32) and strikeouts (825).
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the staff and to maintain my involvement with the softball program," said Hardy. "It's great to be working with a coach I truly respect and with this group of young women who work so hard. I am excited for this upcoming season as this group of athletes on that field is among the best I've witnessed here."
The Jupiter, Fla., native was a unanimous choice for AE Pitcher of the Year and AE All-Conference First Team honors in 2010 after throwing a perfect game and striking out a career-high 217 batters during the regular season - ranking 25th nationally for strikeouts per game by season's end. Additionally, Hardy, a three-time AE All-Conference Second Team selection, was named the Most Outstanding Player in 2009 and 2010 after pitching every single inning.
"Having Katie join our staff will add experience that not a lot of programs have," continued Rychcik. "Being a four-year starter and playing on a team that made it to the World Series will give us another championship perspective in the dugout. Katie comes from a good program in Hawaii so her understanding of the game and desire to win will really help our program."
Grimes comes to Boston after a four-year career at the University of Hawaii, where as a senior the squad won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), made its first ever appearance in the Women's College World Series, and finished the season ranked seventh in the nation according to the NFCA. Over four years, she appeared in over 200 games, including all 66 games as a senior. In her final year at Hawaii, she batted a career-best .282 behind the plate with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, and a .990 fielding percentage.
The Terriers kick-off their season in Louisville, Ky., on Feb. 25, 2011 at the Louisville Red & Black Tournament.
