Kent State University at East Liverpool Softball

Jessica O’Donnell was named the seventh head coach in Kent State Softball program history on June 21, 2023. O’Donnell brings 12 years of coaching experience ...

Former Kent State softball standout Alexandria Whitmore was hired as an assistant coach in August 2024. A five-year letterwinner and two-year captain, Whitmo...

Elysse Petrie joined the Kent State staff as an assistant coach in July 2023 and primarily works with the pitching staff Petrie was on head coach Jessica O'Donnell's staff the past two seasons at Saint Francis University. The Red Flash captured Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season championships during both of Petrie's seasons in Loretto as well as a conference tournament title in 2022. Saint Francis' pitching staff ranked in the top-20 nationally in ERA (2.12) and shutouts (13) during her first season and followed with a single-season program record 343 strikeouts this past spring. Overall, Red Flash hurlers totaled three NFCA All-Great Lakes Region and four All-NEC First Team honors under Petrie's tutelage. Rachel Marsden was named NEC Pitcher of the Year in 2022 and Grace Vesco earned NEC Tournament MVP that same season. Petrie began her coaching career as a graduate assistant for two seasons at the University of Indianapolis, where she was part of the 2021 NFCA Division II Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year. The Greyhounds won more than 80 percent of their games during those two years. Indianapolis captured Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) regular season and tournament championships in 2021 on its way to an appearance in the NCAA DII Midwest Regional final. The Greyhounds' 25-game winning streak was the longest in Division II that season. In addition to assisting with scouting, recruiting, daily practices, and team travel arrangements, Petrie worked with th