Wheaton graduate Powers selected to guide Lyon softball program

June 4, 2008

NORTON, MA- Wheaton College Executive Director of Athletics Chad Yowell has announced the hiring of Rachael Powers '03 as head softball coach, effective August 11. Powers, an assistant on this year's staff and a former all-region player, replaces Gina Loudenburg, who resigned after recording 533 wins during 19 seasons.

"I feel so honored to have been chosen to represent Wheaton after the incredible career that Coach Loudenburg has had," said Powers. "Having played for this program while experiencing the success that my teammates and I shared pushes me to want nothing more than to build upon the Wheaton softball tradition."

After helping bring unprecedented success to the Framingham State College program during her four years as an assistant coach, Powers returned to her alma mater this spring for one year under Loudenburg. Wheaton went 29-14 overall and placed second in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) standings at 12-4. During the tournament, the Lyons advanced to the semifinal round.

"We had four outstanding candidates, and Rachael brings a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach," said Yowell. "As a coach at Framingham State, she had the opportunity to put many of her philosophies into place, which allowed them to become a winning program. Rachael has a reputation for being able to work with younger players, which is very important to us because we have such a young team returning."

During her tenure at Framingham State, Powers spent 2004 to 2007 guiding the Rams to 74 wins, including 34 in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play, as both figures were the highest during any four-year period in program history to that point. Including tournament action, Framingham State was 42-27 against league foes with Powers as a coach.

The Rams won the MASCAC Tournament for the first time in 2007, advancing to their initial NCAA Tournament. Powers helped Framingham State match the program's single-season wins record (21) in both 2006 and 2007 while pushing the squad to the championship round of the MASCAC Tournament in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

As an undergraduate, Powers put together a stellar four-year career. A three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-New England and two-time New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) all-region selection, Powers helped the Lyons go 143-38-1 overall and 57-7 in NEWMAC play. Wheaton at least shared the regular season league crown all four of her years, winning three conference tournament titles to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Powers' Blue and White squad advanced to the College World Series in 2001, as the team came in third nationally and she was named all-tournament.

A two-time captain, Powers was Wheaton's starting third baseman and center fielder during different points in her career. Five years after graduating, she still ranks among the top nine in program history in career games, at bats, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, RBI, stolen bases, times hit by a pitch and sacrifice flies. Powers batted .366 in 172 games, finishing with 199 hits, 117 RBI, 38 doubles and 15 homers. The United States history major, who also played soccer her freshman year, graduated in 2003.

Wheaton is a selective national liberal arts college with 1,550 students drawn from virtually every state and more than 30 countries. The college combines a traditional curriculum in the arts and sciences with an innovative emphasis on real-world experience - internships, jobs and volunteer service - to help students make the connection between theory and practice. Its students gain admission to the nation's most prestigious graduate programs and regularly win competitive academic awards such as the Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 6/5/08.
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