BOONE, N.C. – App State softball head coach
Shelly Hoerner has agreed to a contract extension that runs through 2023, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Friday. The extension was approved by Chancellor Sheri Everts and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.
"Shelly is a tremendous leader for our softball program," Gillin said. "The team's progress in her two seasons as head coach is remarkable, and we look forward to our student-athletes' continued pursuit of excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community."
Hoerner prepares for her third season in charge of the Mountaineers after being named the head coach on June 23, 2017. During her first season at the helm, she led the Mountaineers to their best record since 2014. App State then tied the program record for wins in a season during the 2019 campaign, notching a 31-25 record and tying the win total set by the 2013 team that won the regular-season Southern Conference title.
App State, which had not won more than two Sun Belt games in a season prior to Hoerner's arrival, posted 13 victories against league competition in 2019. The team earned its first Sun Belt Tournament berth as the No. 5 seed and its first postseason berth to the NISC.
"I am extremely grateful to Chancellor Everts,
Doug Gillin and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to continue leading App State softball. The success we had last year makes it an exciting time for these young women and our team," Hoerner said. "The confidence and support Doug has shown me and the program is a true reflection of his vision for softball and the entire App State Athletic Department."
"I look forward to continuing to grow and develop our softball student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in our App State and Boone communities. Thank you again to our App State administration in trusting me as the leader of App State softball."
Following the 2019 season,
Kenzie Longanecker became the first Mountaineer named to the All-Sun Belt first team since App State joined the conference in 2014. Longanecker consistently ranked as a top pitcher in the Sun Belt all season after posting a 2.39 ERA, a 14-7 record and 92 strikeouts. Her 14 wins are tied for the second-most wins in a single season in program history.
Third baseman
Keri White was named second-team All-Sun Belt, becoming the third Mountaineer to earn a spot on the second team. She joined
Jenny Dodd (2018) and Sarah Warnock (2015).
Under Hoerner's tutelage, App State softball had its first-ever draft pick, as infielder
Haley Stewart was selected No. 30 overall in the American Softball Association Draft. Stewart finished her senior season starting all 56 games at first base and leading the team in fielding percentage (.987). She tallied 38 hits with eight doubles and two home runs during her final season as a Mountaineer.
The slugger finished 10th in App State history with 13 career home runs and ninth with 56 career walks.
Off the field, Hoerner's team has excelled in both the classroom and in helping others in the High Country community. Twelve players made the academic honor roll for the fall 2018 semester, and softball joined all other women's teams to post a cumulative GPA over 3.0. The team also earned a perfect 1000 APR in 2017-18.
Following the 2019 season, eight Mountaineers were named NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes. App State also saw eight members recognized on the Sun Belt Commissioner's List and six members on the Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll for the 2018-19 season.
In the community, App State ranked No. 8 nationally in community service hours among softball programs in 2018-19, according to hours recorded through the Helper Helper platform.
