LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the first time in program history, the Washington University in St. Louis softball coaching staff has been named the 2026 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Region VIII Coaching Staff of the Year, the organization announced on Thursday afternoon.
The coaching staff includes head coach
Casey Cromwell along with assistant coaches Melissa "Skeeter" Gentile,
Roni Knittig,
Natasha Ramakrishnan and
Natalia Pilpil.
Since taking over the program in 2023, the Bears have re-emerged as a nationally-dominant program, peaking at No. 4 this season. The 2026 season marked the third-straight year the Bears' have hosted an NCAA Regional, including the first time ever in program history in 2024.
With a young roster, the Bears finished 30-7-1 on the year, winning the UAA for the second-straight year, marking the first time with back-to-back titles since 2014/2015.
The Bears picked up a number of accolades across the board this year. Most recently, junior pitcher
Maria Brooks earned NFCA First Team All-America honors. Last week, Brooks
picked up NFCA Region VIII first team honors while first-year
Julia Sullo earned a second team nod and first-year
Jessi Szafoni was named to the third team.
For the
third-straight year, the Bears Coaching Staff earned UAA Coaching Staff of the Year. Along with that honor, Brooks was named Pitcher of the Year and Sullo was named Rookie of the Year, to go with first team honors. Junior
Kennedy Grippo was also named to the first team while senior
Alexa Hanish, sophomore
Harper Nix and Szafoni were all named to the second team.
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Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at athletics@wustl.edu.
