By: Lauren J. Kane, Assistant Media Relations Director – UC Riverside Athletics
Riverside—UC Riverside Head Softball Coach Linda Garza announced today that the Highlanders have completed their coaching staff for the 2014 season with the addition of Riverside native Kaylan Howard as volunteer assistant coach. Howard comes to UCR from Oregon where she was an All-American second baseman for the Ducks, leading her team to the Women’s College World Series in 2012.
“I am excited and thrilled that Kaylan will be joining our staff and program,” Garza exclaimed. “Bringing back a Riverside native is a major step in the right direction for UC Riverside. Kaylan was an outstanding player at Oregon, and will bring WCWS experience and the know-how to win to our team.”
Howard earned third-team All-American honors, first-team All-Region honors, and first-team All-Pac 12 honors following her senior campaign in which she hit .314 with 50 runs, 55 hits, 13 doubles, 12 home runs, 47 RBI, and a .594 slugging percentage.
As a junior, she was an All-Region and All-Pac 12 performer as the Ducks went 45-18 reaching the Women’s College World Series for just the second time in program history. She recorded career-highs in numerous categories include batting average (.332), hits (63), doubles (17), RBI (52), and slugging percentage (.632).
Howard ended her four-year career batting .304 with 146 runs, 199 hits, and 141 RBI. She ranked first in Ducks history with 37 home runs and was second with 40 doubles.
Howard prepped at Riverside Poly High School and played club ball for the Corona Angels. As a senior she earned Under Armour All-American honors as well as first-team All-State, All-County, and All-League accolades. She was also the Southern Section Division III Player of the Year.
