SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Ninth-year Cal Poly softball head coach Jenny Condon finalized her staff for the 2014 season with the Sunday announcement by the Mustang Athletics Department that Chelsey Barclay has joined as an assistant coach and as the program’s pitching coach.
Barclay arrives on the central coast after serving as an assistant and pitching coach with Marshall (2011-13). Barclay capped her tenure in Huntington, West Virginia this past spring by helping the Thundering Herd to a 36-22 overall mark and the program’s first Conference USA championship. Marshall’s 2013 pitching staff ranked 34th among NCAA Division I programs with a 2.25 ERA and individually, righthander Andi Williamson earned her second All-Conference USA second team honor after finishing fourth in the nation with a program-record 33 wins, fifth with 364 strikeouts and 65th with a 193 ERA.
During each of Barclay’s final two seasons with Marshall, the Herd pitching staff finished among the top-three Conference USA programs in ERA, strikeouts and opposing batting average.
“We’re excited to welcome Chelsey to our coaching staff and the Cal Poly softball family,” said Condon, a three-time Big West Conference Coach of the Year selection. “She brings experience as a player and coach at the highest levels. Chelsey helped coach an NCAA Tournament team at Marshall, so she’s a proven winner. Her passion and competitive attitude will help fuel our program as we head into the 2014 season.”
Prior to her time at Marshall, Barclay served as the graduate assistant pitching coach at Louisiana-Monroe for the 2010 season.
A native of San Jose, Calif., Barclay earned Horizon League All-Newcomer team praise during her 2004 freshman season at Illinois-Chicago, in addition to helping the Flames to the NCAA Tournament. After transferring to West Valley College (Saratoga, Calif.), Barclay was named NorCal Pitcher of the Year after winning 22 times and compiling a 0.54 ERA. She continued her collegiate career at Oklahoma State (2006-07) before graduating with degree in elementary education.
Including 2013 All-Big West selections Jillian Andersen, Mariah Cochiolo and Kim Westlund, Cal Poly is expected to return 15 letterwinners for the upcoming season.
