by Kasey Kaler
TEMPE — After spending a year at Loyola Marymount as an assistant coach, two-time All-American and Women’s College World Series Champion Katie Schroeder has joined the Arizona State Softball staff as a volunteer assistant coach, head coach Craig Nicholson has announced.
Schroeder brings a familiar approach to the staff having played recently in the Pac-12 as a four-year starting outfielder at UCLA (2007-12) and opposite of several current Sun Devil juniors and seniors.
“Having the opportunity to play in the Pac-12 and compete against teams like ASU was exactly why I wanted to stay in the game and coach,” Schroeder said. “It’s programs like this one that have ballplayers who know what it takes to compete at the highest level and have that burning desire to bring home a national championship. And even though some of them have been my competition, I have so much respect for them.”
As a freshman, Schroeder was named to the Pac-10 Honorable Mention Team and All-Pac-10 Freshman Team. During her freshman season, she also helped the USA Softball Junior National team win a gold medal at the 2007 ISF Junior Women’s World Championship.
The following year, Schroeder broke out, leading the Bruins in numerous categories including: batting average (.402), home runs (14) and stolen bases (19) amongst other categories. The breakout season garnered the outfielder her first First-Team All-America honor as well as All-West Region selection while being named First-Team All-Pac-10.
After an injury ended Schroeder’s true junior season just seven games in, she entered the 2011 season sill in stride, earning Pac-10 Honorable Mention.
Schroeder’s final season at UCLA was her best as she once again led her team in numerous categories including: batting average (.407), runs (59), doubles (14), on-base percentage (.514), and stolen bases (17). The 2012 season garnered Schroeder a First-Team All-West Region nod and Second-Team All-America accolades.
The Bruins went to the NCAA Tournament all five years that Schroeder donned UCLA blue and gold and she was a part of their 11th Softball National Championship in 2010.
Following her 2012 season, Schroeder was drafted sixth overall by the Chicago Bandits, but opted not to play, instead spending her 2012 season as an assistant coach at Loyola Marymount where she aided the team’s 33-23 season.
“I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to coach here at ASU,” Schroeder said. “I know that my experience as a player will allow me to become an even better coach.”
