Meet the Coach
Rachael Powers
Head Coach
Rachael Powers '03 was selected as Wheaton's second head softball coach in two decades, beginning with the 2008 season. An assistant on the 2008 staff and a former all-region player, Powers replaces Gina Loudenburg, who resigned after recording 533 wins during 19 seasons.
"I feel so honored to have been chosen to represent Wheaton after the incredible career that Coach Loudenburg had," said Powers. "Having played for this program while experiencing the success that my teammates and I shared pushes me to want nothing more than to build upon the Wheaton softball tradition."
After helping bring unprecedented success to the Framingham State College program during her four years as an assistant coach, Powers returned to her alma mater this spring for one year under Loudenburg. Wheaton went 29-14 overall and placed second in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) standings at 12-4. During the tournament, the Lyons advanced to the semifinal round.
"We had four outstanding candidates, and Rachael brings a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach," said Wheaton Executive Director of Athletics Chad Yowell. "As a coach at Framingham State, she had the opportunity to put many of her philosophies into place, which allowed them to become a winning program. Rachael has a reputation for being able to work with younger players, which is very important to us because we have such a young team returning."
During her tenure at Framingham State, Powers spent 2004 to 2007 guiding the Rams to 74 wins, including 34 in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play, as both figures were the highest during any four-year period in program history to that point. Including tournament action, Framingham State was 42-27 against league foes with Powers as a coach.
The Rams won the MASCAC Tournament for the first time in 2007, advancing to their initial NCAA Tournament. Powers helped Framingham State match the program's single-season wins record (21) in both 2006 and 2007 while pushing the squad to the championship round of the MASCAC Tournament in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
As an undergraduate, Powers put together a stellar four-year career. A three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-New England and two-time New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) all-region selection, Powers helped the Lyons go 143-38-1 overall and 57-7 in NEWMAC play. Wheaton at least shared the regular season league crown all four of her years, winning three conference tournament titles to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Powers' Blue and White squad advanced to the College World Series in 2001, as the team came in third nationally and she was named all-tournament.
A two-time captain, Powers was Wheaton's starting third baseman and center fielder during different points in her career. Five years after graduating, she still ranks among the top nine in program history in career games, at bats, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, RBI, stolen bases, times hit by a pitch and sacrifice flies. Powers batted .366 in 172 games, finishing with 199 hits, 117 RBI, 38 doubles and 15 homers. The United States history major, who also played soccer her freshman year, graduated in 2003.
Bob Roscoe
Assistant Coach
As the longest-tenured active part-time coach at Wheaton, Bob Roscoe enters his 14th season in the Lyon softball dugout.
Roscoe's initial year coaching softball at Wheaton was 1996, but by then he was midway through a 14-year stint with the women's volleyball program. He was an assistant volleyball coach from 1989-2001 before serving as a co-head coach in 2002, helping the Lyons to a 15-16 mark. During Roscoe's tenure with the softball squad, the Lyons have qualified for seven NCAA Tournaments, including three trips to the College World Series.
In 2003 and 2004, Roscoe was an assistant women's volleyball coach at Salve Regina University, and he has been on the Bridgewater State College staff since 2005, including being elevated to head coach in 2008. While coaching with the Bears, Bridgewater State has qualified for three NCAA Tournaments and won a trio of Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) tournament titles and two regular season crowns.
Roscoe also coached girls' volleyball in the Junior Olympics for six years and has coached Massachusetts youths with the Brockton Juniors, the Coastal Volleyball Club and the Bay State Juniors.
This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 11/4/08.
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Wheaton graduate Powers selected to guide Lyon softball program (more)
Kelleher becomes ninth Wheaton softball player to be named All-American (more)
Kelleher and Moynagh each earn NFCA All-New England accolades (more)
7-12-Mar Sat-Thu Spring Trip N TBA
19-Mar Thu Bridgewater St. (2) H 3:00pm
21-Mar Sat Coast Guard (2) H 12:00pm
NEWMAC Tournament
27-Apr Springfield 2, Wheaton 1
26-Apr Wellesley 4, Wheaton 0
23-Apr Wheaton 9, Smith 1 (6)
