NEWBERRY, S.C. - Wednesday afternoon, Newberry College softball coach Ciria Triplett announced that Mitch Smith has been promoted to associate head coach.       

Smith is in his eighth year on the Newberry softball staff, helping the Wolves to six straight winning seasons and three 30 win seasons.  Since 2014 (excluding the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season), Newberry has averaged 30 wins overall, 12 wins in conference, and 20 wins at home.  The 2017 team also recorded a program-record 14 conference wins.  Under Coach Smith's tutelage, 18 players have been named All-Conference, and ten have been named All-Region. As a freshman, Haley Simonds was named First-Team All-American in 2017, while Natalie Willis and Hannah Davis were named Honorable Mention All-Americans in 2019.  

Before Newberry, Smith served as head softball coach at Aiken Technical College and USC Salkehatchie and an assistant at Louisburg College and USC-Aiken.  At Aiken Tech, his 2012 team won the Region X Conference Tournament championship in their first year of postseason eligibility.  The team also made an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament.  Smith coached 12 All-Region players at Aiken Tech, including the 2013 Pitcher and Player of the Year.  Prior to joining Aiken Tech, Smith built the softball program at USC Salkehatchie from the ground up, coaching seven All-Region selections.  

"I'm excited Mitch is officially being promoted to associate head coach, a title that is well deserved," Triplett said. "Mitch has been a key part of our recruiting efforts and is involved in all aspects of our programs success. We have always approached our coaching as a team effort.  This promotion hasn't changed his role but instead is a validation of what he has always done for our softball program and Newberry College.  His loyalty and dedication to our student-athletes ins undeniable.  I am very grateful for Mitch and am blessed to coach beside him."