San Jacinto College softball players celebrate Coach Kelly Saenz’s 300^th win. (Pictured left to right) Top row: Britiany Bailey, Candyce Carter, Booke DuBois, Head Coach Kelly Saenz, Ariel Brayer, Jaclyn Bechtle, Ariel Morgan, Alexis Estrada, Elissa Heaton, and DJ Hooks. Bottom row: Shannon Millman, Chelsea Bennett, Sarah Kirby, Rachel Brownlow, and Ashley Noak. Photo credit: Scott Carter.

Saenz reaches 300^th career win at San Jacinto College

Andrea Vasquez-- May 8, 2012

HOUSTON — San Jacinto College (SJC) softball Head Coach Kelly Saenz celebrated her 300^th win at the team’s home game against Blinn College on April 18.

The actual winning game occurred while the team was on the road on February 24, 2012, winning 10 – 2 against Grayson Community College. Saenz is in her her ninth season as head softball coach and credits most of her success to her players and coaching staff.

“I look at back and realize that over the years I have been blessed with talented players and a great coaching staff that have gotten me where I am today,” said Saenz. “The hard work we all put in is definitely what makes our team successful.”

Since Saenz took over the program in 2004, her teams have gone 483 – 268 overall, and in 2008 for the first time in the team’s history, her squad finished fourth in that nation at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national tournament. That season also earned her coaching staff the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Regional Coaching Staff of the Year award for the Midwest Region. Throughout her SJC coaching career, she has had 12 players receive All-Region honors, 12 receive All-South Region honors, six take NJCAA Region XIV All-Conference honors, and five receive NFCA All-American honors. Eight of her players have also gone on to NCAA or NAIA colleges and universities. The 2011 season saw four player and team records broken. Michaela Adams pitched 33 walks breaking the previous record of 26; outfielder Bethany Armstrong had an 18-game hitting streak, breaking the record of 17 games; outfielder Candyce Carter (Sweeny / Sweeny HS) hit 23 doubles, three better than the previous record; and pitcher Shannon Millman (Pasadena / Memorial HS) pitched 180 strikeouts, breaking the record of 172. As a team, San Jac broke the records for doubles (109), home runs (38), and strikeouts (350).

This season has been no different for Saenz and her team. Ranked 11^th in the nation as they entered the Region XIV tournament last week, the team finished their regular season with an overall 43 – 11 record, and 19 – 5 in conference play. This is also the fourth 40-win season for the team under Saenz’s leadership. 

“The most rewarding part of coaching is seeing the student-athletes reach goals they never thought they could and seeing them develop as an athlete, student, and a person. It is amazing how they mature over the two short years they’re here. I always look forward to the next season and the new team that I’ll will be working with.”

For more information on the San Jacinto College softball program, visit www.sanjacsports.com.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.