LORETTO -- Saint Francis Softball Head Coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift has accepted an offer to become the Head Coach of the NC State Softball program. Patrick-Swift led the Red Flash to new heights during her seven years as the leader of the program, including back-to-back NEC Titles.
Patrick-Swift ended her tenure in Loretto with a 226-152 record over seven seasons, holding SFU program records for wins and win percentage (.597). She led the Red Flash to its first ever NEC Title, NCAA Tournament appearance and NCAA Tournament win in 2017, while setting an SFU and NEC season record with 49 wins and becoming the first NEC team to go undefeated in conference play.
The Red Flash improved its season win total in each of Patrick-Swift’s first six seasons, the only program in Division I to accomplish that. SFU improved from 10 wins in 2011 to 22 in 2012, 25 in 2013, 26 in 2014, 31 in 2015, 34 in 2016 and 49 in 2017. The Red Flash earned 14 wins over Power Five programs under Patrick-Swift.
“We are excited for Jennifer and the opportunities that the future will bring in her coaching career,” said Director of Athletics Susan Robinson Fruchtl. “She has worked hard for an opportunity like this and we wish her all the best. Like all coaches who strive to leave a program in a better place than when they began, Jennifer has certainly taken SFU Softball to a place where it had never been previously. We thank Jennifer and Patrick [Swift] for all their efforts in building up our program to where it is now.”
In 2018, the Red Flash repeated as NEC Champions, going 39-19 overall and again going undefeated in NEC play. SFU went 16-0 in the NEC regular season and won all three of its NEC Tournament games. Saint Francis’ 38-game NEC win streak is the fourth-longest conference win streak in NCAA Division I history. SFU was selected for the NCAA Tucson Regional for the second straight season, falling in tight battles to No. 1 seed Arizona (1-0) and No. 2 seed Mississippi State (11-5). The Red Flash earned seven All-NEC selections, including Player of the Year Cheyenne McKee, Pitcher of the Year Abby Trahan and Madison Cabell, the league’s first four-time First Team selection.
Patrick-Swift helped the Red Flash to become one of the top power-hitting teams in the nation. The Red Flash led Division I with 83 homers entering the NCAA Tournament, setting a new program and NEC season record. SFU ranks second in the nation, averaging 1.43 homers per game. This past season marked SFU’s third straight finish among the Top 10 national home run leaders after hitting 65 in 2017 and 81 in 2016. SFU also led the nation with nine grand slams this season.
Under Patrick-Swift, the Red Flash earned 10 NFCA All-Region selections, eight major NEC awards and 31 All-NEC selections, including 20 First Team picks.
The Red Flash will return 14 players from the 2018 team, including five All-NEC selections, for the 2019 season.
“We look forward to conducting a national search for our next Head Softball Coach,” said Robinson Fruchtl. “We have proven to be a place where a coach can Become That Someone by mentoring and developing our dedicated student-athletes to accomplish goals that they dream of achieving.”
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