Emory University Softball Head Coach Adrianna Baggetta has announced that she will be resigning from her current position and will be joining the Penn State University coaching staff.
Baggetta led the Eagles for the last five seasons after she was named head coach in the summer of 2018, compiling an overall record of 91-61. During that span she saw 15 players collect 20 All-UAA honors, including five on the All-Association First Team. Among the All-UAA highlights were Sami Feller and Cassie Baca garnering Co-Offensive Players of the Year honors in 2019 and Ashley Chu being tabbed Rookie of the Year in 2023. Chu also became the Eagles' first All-Region honoree since 2018, earning a berth on the NFCA Region 6 Second Team.
"I will cherish my time at Emory infinitely. From playing in the national championship to navigating a pandemic, I had the tremendous support of administration and a great group of young women and their families behind me the entire way," expressed Baggetta. "If I've made even a fraction of an impact on this program and university as they have made on me over the past five years, then I am happy. I am sad to leave a group of talented and committed student-athletes but I know that they are in incredible hands with Keiko Price and have no doubt she will bring someone in to provide them with leadership to continue to challenge them and give them the opportunity to be very successful."
During her first season, Baggetta steered the Eagles to the program's 12th UAA championship after going 16-4 in conference play and helped the team reach the NCAA Division III national championship for the first time in program history. The team adopted a "Comeback Kids" moniker throughout the postseason run, staving off five elimination games to reach the College World Series before reaching the championship series with two more dramatic wins over Trine and Eastern Connecticut.
Her final season saw the team win 18 games including three notable wins over nationally ranked Piedmont University and Case Western Reserve, with the two wins over the Spartans coming when CWRU was ranked No. 5 in the country and previously unbeaten. The Eagles finished the season second in the UAA in batting average, doubles, on-base percentage, scoring offense and boasted the 18th highest team GPA among qualifying Division III programs.
"I would be remised if I did not thank the entire Athletic Department Staff that saw the vision for our program and provided me the support and belief to be successful and for the student-athletes to receive a first-class experience," Baggetta continued. "The commitment they have for the softball program is unparallel. I wish Emory Softball, Emory Athletics, and Emory University nothing but the best and look forward to watching their continued successes. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a world class university."
The move to the Nittany Lions will be Baggetta's third coaching stint at the Division I ranks, having previously been in the dugout at the University of South Carolina and the University of Iowa. Prior to her start in coaching, she was an All-SEC performer with the Gamecocks, helping the team to four NCAA tournament berths from 1999-2002.
"I want to thank Adrianna for her commitment to our student-athletes over the past five years," said Price. "I am happy for the opportunity she has to return to the Big Ten. I appreciate her expectation for excellence and competitive mindset, which she will bring with her to Penn State to help them achieve greatness."
A national search will begin for the next head coach of the program.