DANVILLE, Ky. - Centre Athletics announced the hiring and promotion of Laura Villagrana as Centre softball's new head coach leading into the 2023 season.

"Laura has earned this opportunity to lead Centre Softball forward. She is a talented coach who brings a passionate dedication to continuing to build Centre Softball's presence in the SAA," mentioned Director of Athletics and Recreation Brad Fields. "Coming off our best season in SAA history, the future is bright for the Colonels with Laura at the helm. She is ready to get started in the new role, and we are excited to support her in that endeavor."

Villagrana comes to her new role after spending the last two seasons as an assistant under former head coach Tori Brown, serving as the team's first base coach and working with outfielder, pitchers, catchers and hitters. Villagrana also developed and executed plenty of recruiting strategies alongside Brown during her time in her staff.

"Id like to thank Brad fields and the Centre administration for this opportunity, along with Tori Brown for her mentorship when I was her assistant and through my transition to now being the head coach here at Centre," expressed Villagrana. "I am super excited for this opportunity and honored to continuing working with the team here at Centre, in my two years I have grown as a coach and I am excited to further my coaching career with this team."

She helped lead the team to their highest finish in the Southern Athletic Association standings, picking up a no. 3 seed in the conference tournament during the 2023 season. The season had many highlights, including the program's first ranked-win [under Brown] with the 3-1 victory over Transylvania. The program also executed record-highs in their 17 wins over the course of the season (highest mark since 2018) and 10 SAA victories (most since 2015) in the 2023 season.

"I would also take a moment to thank Coach Tori Brown for her incredible work over the last six years with the program," stated Fields, "While she will step into a new role with Centre Athletics where her impact will be more broadly felt, there's no question the softball program was profoundly impacted by her hard work."

For all updates on Centre softball and the rest of the Gold & White, stay tuned to centrecolonels.com.

 

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