The 2018 Bulldog softball team will have plenty of time to get acquainted with new Assistant Coach Ali Brems. Brems recently joined the Truman State University Athletics coaching department after former Assistant Coach Bailey Wittenauer accepted a head coaching position at GLVC competitor Rockhurst University.
The Bulldogs are coming off a strong, winning season with an overall record of 40-23 while going 18-10 in the GLVC and earning a bid to the NCAA National Tournament.
As her new assistant makes adjustments and gains familiarity herself, Brown thinks Brems will bring a lot to the table to help everyone get on track. With experience offensively and defensively, Brown said she is excited to see the teaching Brems can offer the team.
“The unique thing about Ali is that she pitched and hit during her college career,” Brown said. “That isn’t very common. So she has the experience as a hitter and a pitcher to bring to the team.”
Brems was a dual threat player during her time playing for Lewis University, a fellow GLVC team. Not only did she finish with an ERA of 3.43 in over 420 innings pitched, but she also batted a career average of .304 in over 350 at-bats.
While Brems’ playing history alone already gives validity to what she brings to the table, she has had other experiences off the field that will help her coaching abilities.
“Well, I had a great experience at Lewis, and while I was there, I had to have two surgeries,” Brem said. “This really changed me because I saw the game from a different lens — twice — and having to sit out a year really helped me not take the game for granted. Seeing those different views really helped me as a player and will continue to help me as a coach.”
Brem and the 2017-2018 team starts exhibition play Saturday, Sept 23, playing four games before the close of fall season on Oct. 8. The Bulldogs’ spring championship season will be underway beginning Feb 9.