Temple University Athletics
Temple Softball History, 1975-Present
1.30.07 | Softball
Jan. 30, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Temple softball kick-started its inaugural season in 1975 under head coach Ronnie Maurek. After a 7-3 finish in her first season as the Owls' mentor, Maurek would go on to post a 307-221-3 career record in 17 seasons at Temple. Maurek eclipsed the 20-win plateau six times and once surpassed 30 victories after a then program-best 31-18 finish in 1989.
As an affiliate of the Eastern Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (EAIAW), Maurek's Owls finished first in 1978 after a 19-7 overall record. Following the 1982 season, the Cherry and White's initial season as an affiliate of the Atlantic 10 produced a 10-13 mark on the diamond in 1983. With three first place finishes in-hand and a Coach of the Year award in 1989, Maurek led the Owls to nine consecutive Atlantic 10 Tournament appearances, and a share of the championship in 1990, before her last season in 1991.
Under Maurek's tutelage, second baseman Dionna Harris was named the Atlantic 10's Player of the Year in 1989 while third baseman Angel Prinos received the conference's Rookie of the Year honor in 1991. In addition to Harris and Prinos, ten other Owls (Jackie Cipolloni, Kim Gogal, Kim Dempsey, Debbie Todd, Robin Boyd, Lisa Sommer, Vicki Sorrentino, Kathy McCarthy & Denise Sarno) were named to the all-conference team while playing for Maurek.
Following the 1991, Maurek handed the reigns over to new head coach Carol Kashow. In six seasons with the Owls, Kashow collected a 147-163 career record en route to making five appearances in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. In Kashow's best season as the Cherry and White head coach, the Owls finished tied with most wins in program history at 31-20 and with an 11-5 conference mark in 1996. Kashow's Owls came just one win shy of the Atlantic 10 crown after losing in the 1997 title game to Massachusetts.
Under Kashow's direction, six Owls (Judy O'Brien, Lorie Mikielski, Marietta Atkinson, Jen Crabb, Desire Wallace & Diana Humphries) received Atlantic 10 all-conference recognition.
After serving as Kashow's assistant for two seasons (1995-97), Rocci Pignoli assumed the head coach responsibilities in 1998. As the Cherry and White skipper, Pignoli ranks second all-time with 175 wins before retiring on June 2, 2005. In tallying a 75-53 Atlantic 10 mark, he guided five teams to the conference's postseason tournament. The 2004 season was Pignoli's most successful as the Owls' mentor after a 30-18 overall record, an Atlantic 10 Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
With Pignoli at the helm, five Owls (Bari Lynn Pflueger, Katie Weigle, Lynsey Grace, Alexis Gary & Kim Watkins) received all-conference accolades while infielder Aida Esquer was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year in 2002. In addition to Pignoli's A-10 Coach of the Year honor in 2004, Kim Watkins received the Pitcher of the Year award.
After 19 appearances in Atlantic 10 Tournament and one trip to the NCAA Tournament, Casey Dickson, a 2000 Oklahoma graduate, was named Temple softball's fourth head coach on August 24, 2005.
