Wheeling, W. Va. - In 2016, Wheeling University Athletics took a chance on a young 25-year-old, giving her that first opportunity to be a Head Softball Coach. Seven years later, the Wheeling University Athletics Department is excited to welcome back that same woman as they have announced the hiring of Sara Pelegreen as the new Head Softball Coach beginning with the 2023 season. Pelegreen returns to Wheeling with more experience on the diamond as she is ready to lead the Cardinal's softball program to success for years to come.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity to return to Wheeling University as the Head Softball Coach," said Pelegreen. "I feel like its full circle being able to come back as a more experienced coach this time, and continue to lead young women on the field and guide them in the classroom. It is truly an honor."
Over the last three seasons, Pelegreen spent time from 2019-2022 as an assistant softball coach at Robert Morris University. During her tenure as assistant coach, Pelegreen helped the Colonials to a combined 64-51 record and two appearances in the conference tournament. The 2022 season saw the team go 31-21 overall, making a first-ever appearance in the Horizon League Tournament (HLSB). The team secured its first-ever HLSB tournament win over Youngstown State and finished as runners-up, falling to Oakland in the HLSB title game.
Prior to Robert Morris, Pelegreen's coaching career began at Wheeling University, where she worked with the team from 2014 to 2018. She began her career as a Graduate Assistant in 2014 and was key in the revitalization of the program. As a graduate assistant, she helped the team to 72 wins over a three-year period, which was the most wins in any three-year period since the reinstatement of the program in 2002. In 2017, she was promoted to Head Coach of the program and continued to take the team to new heights.
After finishing second in the MEC North during the 2017 season, with a record of 23-25 overall and 11-10 in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play, Pelegreen helped lead the program to its first-ever MEC Championship game during the 2018 season. That season, the Cardinals knocked off West Virginia Wesleyan before falling in the MEC Championship game to West Virginia State. She had four players earn All-MEC honors from that team, including pitcher Mallory Chapman who secured a fourth All-MEC selection and was named a Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) First Team All-Region selection.
Pelegreen sends out a special thank you to the university who gave her that first head coaching opportunity and for bringing her back as a more experienced coach.
"I want to specifically thank President Ginny Favede and (Athletic Director) Carrie Hanna for trusting me with this position," said Pelegreen. "Wheeling University gave a young 25-year-old a chance back in 2016 to be a head coach and it allowed me to not only fall in love with the game all over again, but see it for what it really is – an avenue to impact young women through sport and to help them grow into strong individuals."
Athletic Director Carrie Hanna is excited to welcome Pelegreen back into the Wheeling University Athletic family and looks forward to seeing her and her team continue to grow and build a winning tradition for the program.
"We are pleased Sara has returned to lead our Softball program again," said Hanna. "Being incredibly familiar with our University's mission and the Mountain East Conference made her an excellent fit!"
Pelegreen and her team are set to begin their 2023 season on Thursday, February 16th, when they take on Salem University in doubleheader action.
