Emory University Athletics Director Dr. Michael Vienna has announced the appointment of Adrianna Baggetta as head softball coach. Baggetta will begin her duties on September 5.
Baggetta brings 16 years of Division I coaching experience to the Eagles' program. Most recently, she spend the last eight seasons on the staff at the University of Iowa, the first six as an assistant and the final two as associate head coach. During her stint with the Hawkeyes, she mentored a total of 14 All-Big Ten players, six all-region honorees, six All-Big Ten Defensive picks and three players who were chosen to the All-Big Ten Tournament Team. The 2013 squad hammered out 30 wins, which included six victories over ranked foes. Iowa softball shined in the classroom as well with a total of 39 Academic All-Big Ten nods while claiming a total of five Distinguished Scholar Athletes. During Baggetta's run in Iowa City, Hawkeyes' softball achieved a 100 percent graduation rate while logging over 6,500 team community service hours.
Prior to Iowa, Baggetta spent eight years at the University of South Carolina, where she started out as a volunteer coach before being promoted to a full-time assistant from 2004 through 2009. During the 2010 season, she was the Gamecocks' associate head coach. She helped USC to a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament, with the 2007 squad advancing to the Super Regionals of the postseason, ending the campaign with 38 victories and No. 22 national ranking. Baggetta coached a total of 12 All-Southeastern Conference honorees, 42 SEC All-Academic members and five Academic All-Americans. She monitored academic performance of the program which helped result in a 100 percent graduation rate.
"We are extremely pleased to have Adrianna as our softball coach," Dr. Vienna stated. Having played and coached at a high level, she knows what it takes to be successful and how to instruct and motivate players to maximize their abilities. In addition, and evidenced by the outstanding graduation rates at previous her positions, she is passionate about the role that academics plays in the life of a student-athlete and has a proven track record in assisting young women develop into well-rounded and productive people following their college careers."
A native of Chantilly, Va., Baggetta enjoyed a fine softball career (1999-2002) at South Carolinawhere she was named to the 2002 All-SEC second team and the 2002 SEC All-Tournament team. Baggetta played infield, outfield and catcher during her career. In 2002, she led the team in hitting with a .353 average and smacked six home runs. When her collegiate career had ended, she ranked among the top 10 in Gamecock history in home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. She played on three teams that won the SEC Eastern Division and four that competed in the NCAA Tournament. Baggetta received Dean's List honors at USC and was selected to SEC All-Academic Honor Roll.
"First off, I would like to thank Dr. Vienna and Joyce Jaleel for giving me the opportunity to be a part of an institution as prestigious as Emory University," Baggetta said. "There is a strong tradition of winning at Emory and I am honored to become a part of it. I have the utmost respect for Coach Siqueiros and all of the past staff members and players who have established this program. The standard of excellence has already been set and my mission will be to build and raise it to new heights.
"I can't wait to get to Atlanta and meet with the team. The student-athlete experience is my number one priority, and I greatly enjoy teaching, motivating and team building that comes with coaching. Empowering young women to be great on and off the field is a driving force for me daily. Emory softball will exude selflessness, integrity, and respect; insuring our players become leaders and champions in the classroom and on the field."
Adrianna graduated from the University of South Carolina in Dec. 2002 with a degree in sport and entertainment management and a minor in business administration. She is a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Women Leaders in College Sports and Alliance of Women Coaches.
Baggetta replaces Penny Siqueiros who served as head coach from 1999 through this past spring.
